TiO2-Ag nanostructured photocatalyst for viral inactivation: A preliminary study using protein models

The rapid emergence of viral infections, such as SARS-CoV-2, underscores the urgent need for innovative antiviral strategies. This study explores the photocatalytic effectiveness of synthesized mesoporous mTiO2-Ag nanostructures in denaturing viral proteins, thereby inhibiting viral spread. Utilizing protein models, specifically bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the spike protein subunit S1 (S1SP) of SARS-CoV-2, we evaluated the nanocomposite's ability to degrade high molecular weight proteins, simulating the interactions between photocatalysts and viral proteins. Our findings indicate that the mTiO2-Ag nanocomposite exhibits enhanced photocatalytic performance, effectively disrupting viral structures through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and physical interactions. This approach not only provides insights into the mechanisms of viral inactivation, pointing out the effect of photocatalytically generated ROS, as •OH, but also offers a safe alternative for assessing the antiviral properties of nanomaterials without the need for handling pathogenic viruses. The results support the potential application of photocatalytic nanomaterials in disinfection strategies, promoting safer and more effective solutions for controlling viral infections in various environments.