Graphene: A Disruptive Opportunity for COVID‐19 and Future Pandemics?

Abstract

The graphene revolution, which has taken place during the last 15 years, has represented a paradigm shift for science. The extraordinary properties possessed by this unique material have paved the road to a number of applications in materials science, optoelectronics, energy, and sensing. Graphene‐related materials (GRMs) are now produced in large scale and have found niche applications also in the biomedical technologies, defining new standards for drug delivery and biosensing. Such advances position GRMs as novel tools to fight against the current COVID‐19 and future pandemics. In this regard, GRMs can play a major role in sensing, as an active component in antiviral surfaces or in virucidal formulations. Herein, the most promising strategies reported in the literature on the use of GRM‐based materials against the COVID‐19 pandemic and other types of viruses are showcased, with a strong focus on the impact of functionalization, deposition techniques, and integration into devices and surface coatings.

Functionalized Masks: Powerful Materials against COVID‐19 and Future Pandemics

“…Graphene‐based materials have been used extensively in biomedical applications. [ 134 , 135 , 136 ] Especially after the outbreak of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic there have many reports on utilizing graphene‐based materials for fighting against this virus, [ 137 , 138 , 139 ] including some related to the use of graphenes in face masks. The key and unique properties that graphenes can endow in the masks include i) superhydrophobicity of graphenes increases the wetting resistance of the mask by aerosols containing viruses and bacteria and enhances the self‐cleaning of the masks, ii) excellent electrothermal behavior of graphenes can create local high temperatures which can easily inactivate the microorganisms, and iii) inherent antimicrobial properties of the graphene‐based nanomaterials.…”

“…Graphene-based materials have been used extensively in biomedical applications. [134][135][136] Especially after the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic there have many reports on utilizing graphene-based materials for fighting against this virus, [137][138][139] Figure 8. a) General description for the preparation of the daylight-induced antimicrobial cotton cloth (below show the daylight-induced ROS generation and thereby inhibition of microorganisms).…”

Graphene‐Based Hybrid Functional Materials

“…Graphene‐based hybrids may contribute not only to the fight against cancer but also to vanquishing viral diseases, such as COVID‐19, and preventing future pandemics. [ 211 ] For instance, graphene may be functionalized with ad hoc receptors, such as sulfated polysaccharides and sulfonic acids able to inactivate viruses or to block their replication mechanism by binding irreversibly to them. [ 212 ] In addition, coatings based on graphene functionalized with antiviral agents could be used to produce antiviral surfaces and items.…”

Lethal Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 with Graphene Oxide: Implications for COVID-19 Treatment

“… 8 − 13 Also, some recent studies have provided theoretical background and experimental evidence on their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2. 14 − 17 However, insights into how the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of GO might be implemented for widespread practical use for preventing the spread of the virus have been lacking. In this report, we demonstrate the virus inhibitory properties of GO and present the results of an in-depth investigation involving three SARS-CoV-2 strains (Wuhan, U.K., and Brazilian).…”