Processing and antiviral activity of Cu-modified (Ce_0.8,Gd_0.2)O_2−δ in the dark and under visible light

Abstract

In recent, nano-CeO₂ has attracted attention as a new inorganic antiviral material. For this study, Gd-doped CeO₂ (CGO), known as a solid electrolyte, was prepared using hydrothermal method. Also, Cu was modified on the particle surface. Then the CGO antiviral activity was investigated in the dark and under visible light. With the obtained single-phase CGO, at least a part of the surface-modified Cu formed a solid solution. Antiviral activity tests were performed against bacteriophage Qβ, a non-enveloped virus, in accordance with ISO. Findings indicate that CGO exhibits antiviral activity against Qβ in the dark, and that it possesses high activity in an enzyme protein inactivation test, which is attributed to its peptide affinity, water repellency, and genome destruction ability derived from the element. The Cu modification effect on the antiviral activity in the dark was not clear. However, it was improved by Cu modification under visible light, which suggested a contribution by the photocatalytic reaction. These findings revealed Cu-modified CGO as a material that exhibits antiviral activity both in the dark and under visible light.