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Adsorption Behavior of SARS-CoV-2 S1-RBD Protein on Na+/Ca2+-Saturated Montmorillonites
Min Xu1, Shiqi Li1, Qian Chen1
1State Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Green Resource Recycling, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
SARS-CoV-2, known for its high transmissibility, spreads via aerosols, enabling long-term environmental persistence. Mineral particles, a key aerosol component, may interact with the virus, yet research remains limited. This study investigated the adsorption of SARS-CoV-2's receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein onto Na+- and Ca2+-montmorillonite (NaM, CaM) at pH 5 and 9 and ionic strengths of 1 mM and 10 mM. Results showed NaM adsorbed RBD faster and more efficiently than CaM. Higher ionic strength delayed adsorption equilibrium. Adsorption was lower at pH 5 than pH 9, suggesting contributions beyond electrostatic forces (e.g., hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding). Theoretical calculations confirmed experiments and revealed Ca2+-mediated bridging between RBD and CaM. This work clarifies viral adsorption mechanisms on clay minerals, aiding environmental risk assessment of virus-mineral interactions.
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