Nanoceutical Fabric Prevents COVID-19 Spread through Expelled Respiratory Droplets: A Combined Computational, Spectroscopic, and Antimicrobial Study

Abstract

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns the use of one-way valves or vents in face masks for potential threat of spreading COVID-19 through expelled respiratory droplets. Here, we have developed a nanoceutical cotton fabric duly sensitized with non-toxic zinc oxide nanomaterial for potential use as a membrane filter in the one-way valve for the ease of breathing without the threat of COVID-19 spreading. A detailed computational study revealed that zinc oxide nanoflowers (ZnO NFs) with almost two-dimensional petals trap SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, responsible to attach to ACE-2 receptors in human lung epithelial cells. The study also confirmed significant denaturation of the spike proteins on the ZnO surface, revealing removal of the virus upon efficient trapping. Following the computational study, we have synthesized ZnO NF on a cotton matrix using a hydrothermal-assisted strategy. Electron-microscopic, steady-state, and picosecond-resolved spectroscopic studies confirm attachment of ZnO NF to the cotton (i.e., cellulose) matrix at the atomic level to develop the nanoceutical fabric. A detailed antimicrobial assay using Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria (model SARS-CoV-2 mimic) reveals excellent antimicrobial efficiency of the developed nanoceutical fabric. To our understanding, the nanoceutical fabric used in the one-way valve of a face mask would be the choice to assure breathing comfort along with source control of COVID-19 infection. The developed nanosensitized cloth can also be used as an antibacterial/anti CoV-2 washable dress material in general.

Zinc associated nanomaterials and their intervention in emerging respiratory viruses: Journey to the field of biomedicine and biomaterials

“…Furthermore, another molecular docking analysis about the interaction between the adhesion proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and ZnO nanostructures is presented by Adhikari et al [138] . In this work, the authors determined that the interaction between the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and the ACE-2 receptor is comparable in energy values, with that experienced between the spike adhesion protein of the virus and the surface of both 0D spherical NPs and the 〈1 0 0〉, 〈1 0 1〉 and 〈0 0 2〉 crystal faces of 2D ZnO nanostructures.…”

Silver Nanoparticle-Decorated Personal Protective Equipment for Inhibiting Human Coronavirus Infectivity

“…To assess the SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity of a product, scientists commonly utilize HCoV-229E as a substitute for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 25 This is mostly owing to the fact that access to a biosafety level 3 facility (which is required to handle the SARS-CoV-2 virus) is both expensive and limited. HCoV-229E, on the other hand, only requires a biosafety level 2 laboratory, which significantly lowers the cost of studies and is readily available at uOttawa.…”

“… 28 During the preparation of our manuscript, two manuscripts reported the virucidal effect of a Ag NP solution and a Ag NP-impregnated polycotton fabric against SARS-CoV-2. 29 , 30 Besides, metal-oxide NPs, zinc oxide (ZnO) 22 , 24 , 25 and copper oxide (CuO) 23 , 26 NPs, have also shown antiviral and antibacterial effectiveness. On the other hand, researchers from the University of Arizona applied a proprietary antimicrobial surface coating made of a quaternary ammonium polymer on all hard and soft surfaces in selected medical units at a hospital and tested its efficacy against the human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), which is similar in structure and genetics to SARS-CoV-2.…”

Recent breakthroughs in nanostructured antiviral coating and filtration materials: a brief review

“…Another recent study presented a nanoceutical cotton fabric filter coated with ZnO nanoflowers (NFs) for potential use as a one-way valve membrane with improved breathability for controlling the spread of COVID-19 infection. 43 An antimicrobial analysis performed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (model SARS-CoV-2 mimic) revealed enhanced antimicrobial efficacy of the product. An in-depth computational study has shown that ZnO NFs with two-dimensional petals display the ability to confine SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.…”