The latest strategies in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, which appeared at the end of 2019, has had a tremendous impact on the entire world, both in terms of health, economics and the environment. So far, extensive strategies have been implemented for the fast diagnosis, prevention, control and treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Advances in technologies based on metals and metal oxides nanoparticles such as Ag, Au, Cu₂O, TiO₂, Fe₃O₄, have opened up new perspectives in this regard. These materials have been extensively used for the management of COVID-19 due to their unique features. These materials have been applied for the preparation of antiviral face masks, coatings, different immunosensors, etc. In this review, we summarize and highlight the latest technologies, implementations and achievements based on metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in order to fight the emerging coronavirus. We present the preventive and diagnostic strategies to control this epidemic with the help of metals and metal oxide nanoparticles.