Metal-Mediated Nanoscale Cerium Oxide Inactivates Human Coronavirus and Rhinovirus by Surface Disruption

The COVID19 pandemic has brought global attention to the threat of emerging viruses and to antiviral therapies, in general. In particular, the high transmissibility and infectivity of respiratory viruses have been brought to the general public's attention, along with the need for highly effective antiviral and disinfectant materials/products. This study has developed two distinct silver-modified formulations of redoxactive nanoscale cerium oxide (AgCNP1 and AgCNP2). The formulations show specific antiviral activities toward tested OC43 coronavirus and RV14 rhinovirus pathogens, with materials characterization demonstrating a chemically stable character for silver nanophases on ceria particles and significant differences in Ce3+/Ce4+ redox state ratio (25.8 and 53.7% Ce3+ for AgCNP1 & 2, respectively). In situ electrochemical studies further highlight differences in formulation-specific viral inactivation and suggest specific modes of action. Altogether, the results from this study support the utility of AgCNP formulations as high stability, high efficacy materials for use against clinically relevant virus species.

Automated summary

The COVID19 pandemic has raised global awareness of emerging viruses and antiviral therapies, particularly the transmissibility and infectivity of respiratory viruses. This study developed two silver-modified formulations of cerium oxide with specific antiviral activities, demonstrating potential for highly effective antiviral materials.