Nanoparticles can be used as inhibitory agents against various microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, archaea, fungi, and a huge class of viruses. The mechanism of action includes inhibiting the function of the cell membrane/stopping the synthesis of the cell membrane, disturbing the transduction of energy, producing toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inhibiting or reducing RNA and DNA production. Various nanomaterials, including different metallic, silicon, and carbon-based nanomaterials and nanoarchitectures, have been successfully used against different viruses. Recent research strongly agrees that these nanoarchitecture-based virucidal materials (nano-antivirals) have shown activity in the solid state. Therefore, they are very useful in the development of several products, such as fabric and high-touch surfaces. This review thoroughly and critically identifies recently developed nano-antivirals and their products, nano-antiviral deposition methods on various substrates, and possible mechanisms of action. By considering the commercial viability of nano-antivirals, recommendations are made to develop scalable and sustainable nano-antiviral products with contact-killing properties.

The effective desalination and purification devices for seawater/ brackish water treatment are crucial in sustainable progress. Techniques that render high salt removal efficiency and water purification ability at low applied potentials play a central role in sustainable water supplies. One of them is capacitive deionization (CDI) which has drawn significant consideration as a promising deionization technology since the last decade. Desalination efficiency profoundly depends on the utilized electrode material. The most widely used CDI electrodes are carbons due to their cost effectiveness and good stability. However, to acquire high electrosorption capacity, extensive researches are reported with modified carbon materials. CDI cell architectures are equally important for practical high salt removal performance. This review focuses on carbon materials in CDI along with other emerging trends in diverse carbon types, e.g., carbon nanotubes and their composites. Various architectures reported in the literature to improve desalination efficiency are also included here.

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