Polycyclic aromatic polymer nanoparticles show potent infectious particle adsorption capability.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Virology

Background:

• Nonspecific viral adsorption using polymer nanoparticles is more economical and energy-efficient than antibody-based methods or size-exclusion filtration.
• Developing effective methods for capturing emerging viruses like SARS-CoV-2 is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate polycyclic aromatic polymer (ArP) nanoparticles for their ability to adsorb severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
• To investigate the relationship between nanoparticle structure and virus adsorption capacity.

Main Methods:

• Four types of ArP nanoparticles (approx. 500 nm diameter) were synthesized using dihydroxynaphthalene isomers, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 3-aminophenol via one-pot precipitation polymerization.
• Virus adsorption capability was tested using infectious SARS-CoV-2 particles.
• Nanoparticle surface properties, including nitrogen and quinone content, were analyzed.
• Filtration experiments were conducted using polyvinylidene difluoride membranes coated with ArP nanoparticles.

Main Results:

• ArP nanoparticles demonstrated high virus adsorption capacity, exceeding 20,000 plaque-forming units.
• Adsorption capacity correlated positively with the presence of nitrogen (amines) and quinone groups on the nanoparticle surface.
• A polyvinylidene difluoride membrane filter coated with ArP nanoparticles effectively removed viruses in a flow system.

Conclusions:

• ArP nanoparticles are highly effective for nonspecific viral adsorption, offering a promising strategy for SARS-CoV-2 capture.
• The molecular design of ArP nanoparticles allows for optimization of surface properties to enhance virus adsorption.
• ArP nanoparticle-coated filters provide a viable method for virus removal via filtration.