Oxidative degradation by photacalytic reactions: An alternative for the mitigation of SARS-CoV-2

Photocatalysis is a chemical reaction induced by the absorption of a solid material, or photocatalyst. The excitation of the solid triggers two reactions that lead to the almost instantaneous formation of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions (called reactive oxygen species; ROS). ROS produce oxidative damage in various microorganisms including the SARS-CoV2 virus, favoring the disintegration of the protein conformation of the capsid, changes in permeability and damage to the virion membrane that ultimately leads to DNA breakage, without the opportunity for repair. Even the photocatalytic reaction causes oxidative degradation against organic and/or inorganic hazardous materials in the air to convert them into non-harmful substances such as water or carbon dioxide.