They can behave as photocatalysts under visible light, possibly allowing indoor inactivation of bacteria and viruses. While these newly generated photocatalysts were found to be effective bactericidal materials, no test has been done on viruses. 

Smith College

Electrospun nylon nanofibers sprayed with TiO2 nanoparticles allow photocatalytic and bactericidal activities when illuminated under UV light. 


Advantages of TiO2:

- considered inert

- low toxicity

- not susceptible to photocorrosion


 If effective, the use of TiO2 photocatalysis for SARS-CoV-2 inactivation would be particularly useful for surface decontamination using TiO2-doped paints, aerosol decontamination using air filtration filters and ventilation systems impregnated with TiO2 that can be exposed to UV light, and for wastewater treatment.


TiO2 NPs can be coupled with other components (e.g., metals) to increase efficiency of bacteria and/or viruses inactivation However, the toxicity levels of these combined materials have not been tested.


TiO2 nanoparticles

Weiss C, Carriere M, Fusco L, et al. Toward Nanotechnology-Enabled Approaches against the COVID-19 Pandemic. ACS Nano. 2020;14(6):6383-6406. doi:10.1021/acsnano.0c03697

Toward Nanotechnology-Enabled Approaches against the COVID-19 Pandemic

S-doped and N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles

Increased adsorption of viruses can be achieved by mixing TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles. However, mixing the two NPs led to reduced hydroxyl production.

TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles mixture

Increased ROS production and "showed slightly better efficiency in inactivating aerosols containing influenza A (H3N3) virus than do surfaces coated with only TiO2 when radiated with UV-A."

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