Virus removal can be successfully achieved based on an electrostatic adsorption mechanism. The key requirement for this process is to develop filter materials that can be produced by low-cost technologies and are suitable in large-scale production for real applications. In this study, we report development of spray-dried alumina granules modified with copper (oxide) nanoparticles and critically assess the effect of copper oxidation state on virus removal capacity. Using plate-shaped alumina as a support material resulted in porous structure, which in turn ensured prolonged contact time of contaminated water with the material. Subsequently, copper (oxide) nanoparticles provided a large number of adsorption sites. Flow experiments revealed that copper­(I) oxide and metallic copper were the active phases in virus removal and 99.9% of MS2 bacteriophages could be removed. However, almost no virus removal was observed in the presence of copper­(II) oxide. Contrasting virus removal characteristics are associated with the different surface charge of copper species, as determined by zeta potential measurements.

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