WO₃ Photocatalyst Containing Copper Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 Pango Lineage A and Omicron BA.2 Variant in Visible Light...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Virology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a global pandemic.
• Virus transmission via contaminated surfaces and aerosols necessitates effective environmental disinfection.
• Photocatalysts are utilized for air purification and surface coatings but often require specific light conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a photocatalyst capable of inactivating SARS-CoV-2 in indoor environments.
• To assess the photocatalyst's efficacy under both light and dark conditions.
• To determine the photocatalyst's effectiveness against different SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a WO3 photocatalyst doped with copper.
• Testing the photocatalyst's ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 (WK-521 strain and Omicron BA.2 variant).
• Evaluating inactivation under visible light irradiation and in dark conditions.

Main Results:

• The copper-doped WO3 photocatalyst demonstrated time- and concentration-dependent inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 WK-521 strain under white light.
• Significant SARS-CoV-2 inactivation was observed even in dark conditions, attributed to the copper component.
• The photocatalyst effectively inactivated both the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and the Omicron BA.2 variant.

Conclusions:

• Copper-doped WO3 is a promising material for inactivating SARS-CoV-2 indoors.
• Its dual functionality, effective in both light and darkness, provides a versatile approach to virus control.
• This photocatalyst offers a viable strategy for mitigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission regardless of the variant.