Hybrid TiO₂-Coated Cement Materials for Pathogen and Pollutant Inactivation: Focus on SARS-CoV-2

The current study induces nanocoated cementitious specimens with TiO₂-based photocatalysts, doped with various metals including silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), supported on zeolite type X (ZXD) or nano-graphite (NG). The objective was to attain cement-based surfaces capable of effectively inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Antiviral efficacy is evaluated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus under laboratory room lighting conditions, revealing enhanced virus photodegradation after metal doping via the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation mechanism. Further research focused on improving the synthesis process. Due to the same degradation mechanism and the high risks of working with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Rhodamine B (RhB) dye was utilized to evaluate the photodegradation efficiency of the nano-hybrids. Impressive outcomes were observed for Cu–TiO₂/NG and Ag–TiO₂/NG, demonstrating degradation rates of RhB at 45% and 98%, respectively, within a 60 min UV light irradiation period. Comprehensive sample characterization was performed utilizing XRD, XPS, SEM, and FE-S/TEM. The characterization results indicate the presence of highly pure anatase titanium dioxide, along with well-distributed metal and TiO₂ nanoparticles on nano-graphite sheets. Based on the obtained results, this enhanced synthesis technique offers a promising approach for applying the prepared composites to the inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.