Virus Inactivation in Water Using Laser-Induced Graphene Filters

Abstract

Graphene in the form of laser-induced graphene (LIG) has antimicrobial and antifouling surface effects due to its electrochemical properties and texture, and LIG-based water filters were used for the inactivation of bacteria. However, the antiviral activity of LIGbased filters has not been explored. Here we showed that LIG filters also have antiviral effects under application of electrical potential using the model prototypic poxvirus virus Vaccinia lister. This antiviral activity of the LIG filters was compared with its antibacterial activity, which showed that higher voltages are required for virus inactivation compared to bacteria. The generation of reactive oxygen species, along with surface electrical effects, play a role in the mechanism for the virus inactivation.

Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) as a Smart and Sustainable Material to Restrain Pandemics and Endemics: A Perspective

“…The antimicrobial activity was tested in the presence of electricity with a flux of 100 L m –2 h –1 and on the application of 2 and 1.5 V, respectively; 6 log reduction and 3 log reduction were achieved. However, for viruses, a bit higher voltage may be required, as suggested by Barbhuiya et al Another similar study was done by Gupta et al wherein PVA was adopted as a crosslinking agent with the prospect of improving the scalability of LIG composite membranes . The membranes were able to remove up to 25% of BOD and COD with around 900–1300 L m –2 h –1 bar –1 pure water permeability (PWP).…”

“…According to Venugopal et al, the capacity of nanocomposite membranes to capture the high-risk pathogen is outstanding, and nanocomposite LIG membranes could be a versatile alternative for capturing SARS-CoV-2. The electroconductive LIG membrane on application of electricity would kill the species on account of the above-described mechanism . However, more research on LIG with different surrogates of enteric viruses should be conducted, which would help in better surveillance of the viral transmission and exploration of water epidemiological studies via the genetic materials obtained in the sample.…”

“…A graphene-based material has caused a significant revolution in the past 10 years, which has led to noteworthy technological advancements in materials science and related fields. − Due to extraordinary properties such as high surface area, electrical conductivity, surface-mediated action, easy functionalization, etc., it has unveiled its applications in various biomedical and environmental fields. ,, Laser-induced graphene, a form of three-dimensional carbon nanomaterial, is prepared by scribing a laser on many carbonaceous precursors in a single step. , Its facile and straightforward preparation makes it a low-cost material for surface-based applications. LIG has excellent potential for antiviral action due to its excellent electrochemical and surface properties. − The exceptional surface and antiviral properties of LIG make it an ideal material for the prevention of viral contamination via different ecological routes, including air, water, soil, and surfaces. The easily modifiable texture and surface characteristics help in better attachment of the virus for contact killing action .…”

Prevalence, environmental fate, treatment strategies, and future challenges for wastewater contaminated with SARS‐CoV‐2

“…Graphene electrodes including the use of laser‐induced graphene, i.e., carbon material exposed to a laser that converts it into graphene, when used with a power supply can also be used for the inactivation of the pox virus. Due to its electrochemical properties and porous texture, laser‐induced graphene has antimicrobial surfaces and can reduce 99.9% of the concentration of the pox virus, Vaccinia lister , at 20 V. However, no virus concentration was reduced at 2.5 V. It is theorized that viral inactivation in this case involves the formation of hydrogen peroxide and associated reactive oxygen species at the anode, both potentially involved in the reduction of the viral concentration (Barbhuiya et al, 2020 ). When 20V was used, possibly more of these two chemicals were produced than when 2.5V was used and therefore, 2.5V was not effective in reducing the virus concentration.…”