Disinfection of waterborne viruses using silver nanoparticle-decorated silica hybrid composites in water environments

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been reported as an effective alternative for controlling a broad-spectrum of pathogenic viruses. We developed a micrometer-sized silica hybrid composite decorated with AgNPs (AgNP-SiO₂) to prevent the inherent aggregation of AgNPs, and facilitated their recovery from environmental media after use. The production process had a high-yield, and fabrication was cost-effective. We evaluated the antiviral capabilities of Ag30-SiO₂ particles against two model viruses, bacteriophage MS2 and murine norovirus (MNV), in four different types of water (deionized, tap, surface, and ground). MNV was more susceptible to Ag30-SiO₂ particles in all four types of water compared to MS2. Furthermore, several water-related factors, including temperature and organic matter content, were shown to affect the antimicrobial capabilities of Ag30-SiO₂ particles. The modified Hom model was the best-fit disinfection model for MNV disinfection in the different types of water. Additionally, this study demonstrated that the effects of a certain level of physical obstacles in water were negligible in regards to the use of Ag30-SiO₂ particles. Thus, effective use of AgNPs in water disinfection processes can be achieved using our novel hybrid composites to inactivate various waterborne viruses.