The
COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown the importance of developments
in fabrication of advanced protective equipment. This study investigates
the potential of using multifunctional electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate)
(PMMA) nanofibers decorated with ZnO nanorods and Ag nanoparticles
(PMMA/ZnO–Ag NFs) in protective mats. Herein, the PMMA/ZnO–Ag
NFs with an average diameter of 450 nm were simply prepared on a nonwoven
fabric by directly electrospinning from solutions containing PMMA,
ZnO nanorods, and Ag nanoparticles. The novel material showed high
performance with four functionalities (i) antibacterial agent for
killing of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, (ii) antiviral
agent for inhibition of corona and influenza viruses, (iii) photocatalyst
for degradation of organic pollutants, enabling a self-cleaning protective
mat, and (iv) reusable surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate
for quantitative analysis of trace pollutants on the nanofiber. This
multi-functional material has high potential for use in protective
clothing applications by providing passive and active protection pathways
together with sensing capabilities.
Scientists, doctors, engineers, and even entire societies have become aware of the
seriousness of the COVID-19 infection and are taking action quickly, using all the tools
from protection to treatment against coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Especially in this sense,
scientific approaches and materials using nanotechnology are frequently preferred. In
this review, we focus on how nanoscience and nanotechnology approaches can be used for
protective equipment, diagnostic and treatment methods, medicine, and vaccine
applications to stop the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and prevent its spread. SARS-CoV-2,
which itself can be considered as a core–shell nanoparticle, can interact with
various materials around it and remain bound for variable periods of time while
maintaining its bioactivity. These applications are especially critical for the
controlled use of disinfection systems. One of the most important processes in the fight
against coronavirus is the rapid diagnosis of the virus in humans and the initiation of
isolation and treatment processes. The development of nanotechnology-based test and
diagnostic kits is another important research thrust. Nanotechnological therapeutics
based on antiviral drug design and nanoarchitecture vaccines have been vital.
Nanotechnology plays critical roles in the production of protective film surfaces for
self-cleaning and antiviral masks, gloves, and laboratory clothes. An overview of
literature studies highlighting nanotechnology and nanomaterial-based approaches to
combat SARS-CoV-2 is presented.
Environmental pollution and energy storage are among
the most pivotal
challenges of today’s world. The development of multifunctional
materials is required to address these challenges. Our study presents
the rational design and synthesis of a hybrid material (ZIF-8@BiPO4) with dual functionality: an outstanding supercapacitor electrode
and an excellent photocatalyst. The ZIF-8@BiPO4 hybrid
structure was obtained by conjoining zinc ions and 2-methylimidazole
ligands toward BiPO4 by a one-pot stirring route at room
temperature. The ZIF-8@BiPO4 resulted in considerably higher
specific capacitance (Cs) (489 F g–1 at a scan rate
of 5 mV s–1; 497 F g–1 at a current
density of 1 A g–1) than that of pure BiPO4 (358; 443 F g–1) and ZIF-8 (185; 178 F g–1) under the same conditions in a three-electrode cell using the 2
M KOH aqueous electrolyte. Afterward, an asymmetric supercapacitor
(ASC) device was fabricated with BiPO4 as the anode and
ZIF-8@BiPO4 as the cathodes, acquiring an outstanding Cs
of 255 F g–1 at a current density of 0.5 A g–1 with significant cycling stability (81% over 10,000
cycles). Moreover, the ASC has an energy density of 17.5 Wh kg–1and a power density of 13,695 W kg–1, which can be considered to be at the borderline between batteries
and supercapacitors. The photocatalytic activity of ZIF-8@BiPO4 was further studied using a methylene blue (MB) dye and sildenafil
citrate (SC) drug-active molecules. The degradation of MB was approximately
78% through the photocatalytic reduction after 180 min of UV irradiation.
The outstanding characteristics together with the ecofriendly and
low-cost preparation make ZIF-8@BiPO4 appealing for a broad
range of applications.
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