Hydrophobic cellulose-based and non-woven fabrics coated with mesoporous TiO2 and their virucidal properties under indoor light

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymer technologies and applications 2022-06, Vol.3, p.100182-100182, Article 100182
• Main Authors: Souza, Darliane CS, Amorim, Suélen M, Cadamuro, Rafael D, Fongaro, Gislaine, Peralta, Rosely A, Peralta, Rosane M, Puma, Gianluca Li, Moreira, Regina FPM
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Human coronavirus and adenovirus; Nanoparticles; Sol-gel synthesis; Textiles; Titanium dioxide hydrosol; Virucidal effect
• ISSN: 2666-8939; 2666-8939
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carpta.2021.100182

•High surface area and mesoporous TiO2 particles were coated on textile materials.•Hydrophobic cotton and non-woven fabric coated exhibited strong virucidal effect.•Murine coronavirus and human adenovirus are inactivated under ambient light.•PCR test showed that there was a reduction in viral replication in the coated fabrics.•TiO2 hydrosol was effective for the production of virucidal fabrics. Antiviral hydrophobic cellulose-based cotton or non-woven fabrics containing mesoporous TiO2 particles were developed for potential use in healthcare and in other contaminated environments. Hydrosols made with the sol-gel method using two different amounts of the Ti precursor were applied to cotton and non-woven fabrics and their virucidal effect on Murine Coronavirus (MHV-3) and Human Adenovirus (HAdV-5) was evaluated under indoor light irradiation. The results show 90% reduction of HAdV-5 and up to 99% of MHV-3 in non-woven fabric, and 90% reduction of MHV-3 and no reduction of HAdV-5 in cotton fabric. The antiviral activity was related to the properties of the TiO2 powders and coatings characterized by BET surface area, DRX, DLS, FTIR, DRS, SEM, TEM and water contact angle. The hydrophobic characteristic of the treated fabrics and the high surface area of the TiO2 particles favor interaction with the virus, especially MHV-3. These results demonstrate that non-woven fabric and cotton, coated with TiO2, can be highly effective in preventing contamination with MHV-3 and HAdV-5 viruses, particularly for applications in healthcare indoor environments. [Display omitted]