Since the beginning of the third Millennium, specifically during the last 18 years, three outbreaks of diseases have been recorded caused by coronaviruses (CoVs). The latest outbreak of these diseases was Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic. For this reason, current efforts of the environmental, epidemiology scientists, engineers, and water sector professionals are ongoing to detect CoV in environmental components, especially water, and assess the relative risk of exposure to these systems and any measures needed to protect the public health, workers, and public, in general. This review presents a brief overview of CoV in water, wastewater, and surface water based on a literature search providing different solutions to keep water protected from CoV. Membrane techniques are very attractive solutions for virus elimination in water. In addition, another essential solution is nanotechnology and its applications in the detection and protection of human and water systems.

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Nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (NCPE) were prepared using nano polyethylene oxide PEO doped with Magnesium (Mg) salts. Gamma irradiation was utilized to improve the PEO-Mg salts particle sizes. Consequently, Magnesium Oxide (MgO) nanoparticles were prepared by green synthesis and incorporated into PEO-Mg salts to improve their properties toward magnesium battery electrolyte applications. The prepared samples were examined before and after exposures to the radiation doses. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicated the particles size of the synthesized nano polymer-Mg salts and MgO nanoparticles. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopic measurements, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electrical conductivity, electrochemical properties, and thermal stability of the samples were determined. FTIR indicated the interaction between PEO with Mg salts and MgO nanoparticles which confirmed the structure. The TEM results showed a spherical nanoparticles of MgO and a good dispersion of MgO in PEO matrix. It was found that the irradiation dose 70 kGy gave the best results for the nano polymer-Mg salts (13 nm). The electrical conductivity (σ) evaluated for NCPE, was more than three orders of magnitude of pure PEO. The liquid NCPE of 20 mL MgO NPs at 100 kGy exhibited a maximum conductivity of 3.63 × 10 -3 Scm −1 at room temperature. The increase in temperature caused a slight effect on conductivity, 4.85 × 10 -3 Scm −1 at temperature 250 C, at the same concentration. While un-irradiated sample of 30 mL MgO NPs (σ) reached to 3.8 × 10 −3 Scm −1 then became 5.03 × 10 −3 Scm −1 by increasing temperature. From the cyclic voltammetry results, the polymer electrolytes containing MgO filler, 20 and 30 mL, for irradiated and un-irradiated samples, respectively exhibited wider electrochemical stability window than the others due to the appearance of Mg deposition/desolution peak in CV curve showed that magnesium effectively migrating through electrolytes. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was enhanced by adding Mg salts electrolyte and also MgO nanoparticles to PEO. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:243-254, 2019.

Chemical corrosion and bio-corrosion in water pipelines are the most common problem in the industry worldwide which cause damage to expensive equipment and increase the maintenance costs. In the current study, the nanocomposite composed of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles was successfully synthesized using brown algae (Sargassum muticum) extract and then dispersed in polyethylene oxide polymer. The synthesized nanoparticles were exposed to gamma radiation to reduce their particle size. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and FTIR analysis, then, the anti-biofilm and anti-adherence efficacy of nanocomposite were evaluated. The results revealed that gamma radiation reduced the particle size of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles to l5 and 20 nm, respectively. Also, the results showed a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in biofilm formation and adherence of Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to carbon mild steel coupon C1010. In addition, from all the tested strains, P. mirabilis caused the highest bio-corrosion rate 1.5 mpy on mild steel coupon and nanocomposite prevented its adhesion as confirmed by Scanning electron microscope (SEM). Furthermore, the nanocomposite at 150 ppm showed the highest anti-corrosion activity 92.3% in 1 M HCl and exhibited mix-type inhibitor (cathodic and anodic). Finally, the results concluded that the green synthesized nanocomposite had multi-function to be used as anti-biofilm, bio-corrosion inhibitor, and anti-corrosion.

Cotton fabrics are usually used for medical purposes, but they can be damaged when exposed to microorganisms. Through modification with carboxymethyl cellulose–polyethylene glycol–ethylene glycol hydrogel/silver/copper oxide (CMC–PEG–EG/Ag/CuO) nanocomposites and subsequent irradiation using an electron beam accelerator, this study proposes an effective method for avoiding bacterial risks on cotton fabrics. The results showed that cotton fabrics loaded with CMC–PEG–EG/Ag/CuO had a low water vapor permeability (WVP) value of 0.09 (0.006% for Ag and 2% for CuO) at a dose of 5 kGy compared with unloaded cotton fabrics (0.33). The tensile strength of the modified cotton fabrics, which had various formulations, was significantly improved with EB irradiation until 25 kGy, exceeding that of the unloaded fabrics. Thermal stability was enhanced by adding CuO nanoparticles up to 2%. The antibacterial activity of the modified cotton fabrics was analyzed by examining gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The results showed that the modified cotton fabrics had the highest inhibition zone effect, with 20 and 15 mm for both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, respectively. In addition, CMC–PEG–EGs incorporated with 0.006% Ag and 0.012% CuO irradiated at a dose of 5 kGy and 0.006% Ag and 0.5% CuO at a dose of 25 kGy were the most efficient formulations. Meanwhile, a 0.012% concentration of CuO nanoparticles in the formulation was considered appropriate to provide the best antimicrobial activity, as the cost of modifying the fabrics was minimized.