New research has demonstrated the antiviral efficacy of William Blythe graphene oxide in a silver nanoparticles composite against both influenza and coronavirus strains. This finding highlights the important role that graphene oxide could play in coatings and PPE for antiviral protection in the future.
The February publication in BioRxiv, titled “Graphene oxide/silver nanoparticle ink formulations rapidly inhibit influence A virus and OC43 coronavirus infection in vitro”, explored how the manufacturing routes and resultant chemical properties of Graphene Composites’ patent-pending GC Ink™ graphene oxide-silver nanoparticle composites influenced the antiviral properties of the compound. The formulations created in this study were independently tested for their antiviral activity at Brown University using plaque assays, a standard technique for determining virucidal efficacy.
One key finding from this study was that for the composite to have highest virucidal efficacy, the graphene oxide must remain in an unreacted state. The functional groups on graphene oxide provide bifunctionality in providing active sites to anchor silver nanoparticles, whilst also taking part in virus destruction through oxidation of virus lipid membranes.
To learn more about advanced materials at William Blythe, please contact our Business Development Manager, Mike Butler.