Antiviral performance of graphene-based materials with emphasis on COVID-19: A review

Abstract

Coronavirus disease-2019 has been one of the most challenging global epidemics of modern times with a large number of casualties combined with economic hardships across the world. Considering that there is still no definitive cure for the recent viral crisis, this article provides a review of nanomaterials with antiviral activity, with an emphasis on graphene and its derivatives, including graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots. The possible interactions between surfaces of such nanostructured materials with coronaviruses are discussed. The antiviral mechanisms of graphene materials can be related to events such as the inactivation of virus and/or the host cell receptor, electrostatic trapping and physico-chemical destruction of viral species. These effects can be enhanced by functionalization and/or decoration of carbons with species that enhances graphene-virus interactions. The low-cost and large-scale preparation of graphene materials with enhanced antiviral performances is an interesting research-direction to be explored.

Recent Advances in Graphene and Conductive Polymer Composites for Supercapacitor Electrodes: A Review

“…The peculiar optical, mechanical, and electrical properties of graphene make it promising in many fields, such as material science [3], biomedicine [4,5], environmental treatment [6,7], and energy [8,9]. In particular, graphene plays an important role in the fight against COVID-19, and it has recently inspired novel technologies to defeat the pandemic [10,11]. Graphene is considered one of the most promising electrode materials for SCs due to its large specific surface area (SSA), outstanding electrical conductivity, flexibility, and excellent chemical stability [12][13][14].…”

Could Nanotechnology Help to End the Fight Against COVID-19? Review of Current Findings, Challenges and Future Perspectives

“…In addition, combined zinc supplements with CQ, drugs like silibinin and doxepin, and some glucocorticoids (betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone, ciclesonide, and triamcinolone) showed promising effects. [23][24][25] Figure 1 demonstrates their mechanism of action and interaction at different stages of the viral cell cycle. 26 Repurposed drugs have previously established safety profiles which facilitate their clinical transition, and result in less risky and more rapid applications.…”

“…However, it has the highest potential to find new pharmaceuticals which have unique advantageous properties for unique viral pandemic events. 25 Biomaterials can endorse the fight against COVID-19 by enhancing immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects. Monoclonal antibodies can cross-react with SARS-CoV-2, block the viral attachment by disrupting the receptor-binding interface, and inactivate the virus by binding to S proteins.…”

“… 77 , 78 Generally, nanomaterials can induce an external stimulus that is responsible for killing the virus or directly interact with the virus with their surface properties to act as antiviral agents. 25 Nanodiagnostics, surveillance and monitoring, nanotherapeutics, and nanovaccination can provide the next generation of fighting approaches against the outbreak. 53 , 79

Figure 3 Potential nanotechnology applications for combating SARS-COV-2.

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“…However, it has the highest potential to find new pharmaceuticals which have unique advantageous properties for unique viral pandemic events. 25

Figure 1 COVID-19 entry point and possible target point of repurposed drug. Copied from Ahmad MZ, Ahmad J, Aslam M, Khan MA, Alasmary MY, Abdel-WAHAB BA.

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