The COVID19 pandemic has brought global attention to the threat of emerging viruses and
to antiviral therapies, in general. In particular, the high transmissibility and
infectivity of respiratory viruses have been brought to the general public’s
attention, along with the need for highly effective antiviral and disinfectant
materials/products. This study has developed two distinct silver-modified formulations
of redox-active nanoscale cerium oxide (AgCNP1 and AgCNP2). The formulations show
specific antiviral activities toward tested OC43 coronavirus and RV14 rhinovirus
pathogens, with materials characterization demonstrating a chemically stable character
for silver nanophases on ceria particles and significant differences in
Ce
3+
/Ce
4+
redox state ratio (25.8 and 53.7% Ce
3+
for
AgCNP1 & 2, respectively).
In situ
electrochemical studies further
highlight differences in formulation-specific viral inactivation and suggest specific
modes of action. Altogether, the results from this study support the utility of AgCNP
formulations as high stability, high efficacy materials for use against clinically
relevant virus species.