Copper Nanoparticle–Graphene Composite-Based Transparent Surface Coating with Antiviral Activity against Influenza Virus

Abstract

Respiratory infections by RNA viruses are one of the major burdens on global health and economy. Viruses like influenza or coronaviruses can be transmitted through respiratory droplets or contaminated surfaces. An effective antiviral coating can decrease the viability of the virus particles in our surroundings significantly, hence reducing their transmission rate. Here, we have screened a series of nanoparticles and their composites for antiviral activity using a nanoluciferase-based highly sensitive influenza A reporter virus. We have identified copper–graphene (Cu–Gr) nanocomposite as a material with strong antiviral activity. Extensive material and biological characterization of the nanocomposite suggested a unique metal oxide-embedded graphene sheet architecture that can inactivate the virion particles within 30 min of preincubation and subsequently interferes with the entry of these virion particles into the host cell. This ultimately results in reduced viral gene expression, replication and production of progeny virus particles, and thereby slowing down of the overall pace of progression of infection. Using poly­(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a capping agent, we have been able to generate a Cu–Gr nanocomposite-based highly transparent coating that retains its original antiviral activity in the solid form and hence can be potentially implemented on a wide variety of surfaces to minimize the transmission of respiratory virus infections.

Copper-Silver Nanohybrids: SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitory Surfaces

“…In the same vein, they assigned the H1N1 inhibitory effects to the denaturation of the viral HA protein interfering with host cell viral recognition. More recently, Das Jana and colleagues [ 25 ] showed the inhibitory effects of copper oxide (Cu 2 O) NPs in a composite with graphene sheets on influenza A virus after 30 min of contact. They ascribed the antiviral effects of Cu 2 O NPs to their interference with the structure and the function of viral HA, disrupting the viral structural integrity to enter host cells, and consequently preventing viral replication and infection.…”

The latest strategies in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles

“…In another study, a powerful and highly transparent antiviral coating for influenza or coronaviruses was prepared using copper oxide-embedded graphene as an antiviral agent and poly(vinyl alcohol). 39 This prepared coating can be used for a wide range of surfaces to reduce the transmission of respiratory viral infections. Structural investigation demonstrated the even dispersion of the CuO and Cu 2 O nanoparticles on 2D graphene sheets.…”

“…This figure has been reproduced from ref. 39 with permission from the American Chemical Society, copyright 2020. Fig.…”

“…Virus particles exposed to the Cu-Gr-PVAcoated surface are defective in entering the host cells, possibly due to the compromised structural integrity (Cu-Gr-PVA: copper-graphene-poly(vinyl alcohol)). This figure has been reproduced from ref 39. with permission from the American Chemical Society, copyright 2020.…”

Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Cotton

“…More recently, nanoparticles have raised great interest within the medical field due to their antiviral and antimicrobial properties, which make them an excellent focus of attention for conducting research to help combat infectious diseases, as they have shown great potential to solve different challenges [1,6,7]. There are a wide variety of synthesis methods or routes to obtain nanoparticles, known as chemical reduction, sol-gel, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), biochemical synthesis, green chemical synthesis, and sputtering synthesis, among others [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”