Virus Inactivation in Water Using Laser-Induced Graphene Filters

Graphene in the form of laser-induced graphene (LIG) has antimicrobial and antifouling surface effects due to its electrochemical properties and texture, and LIG-based water filters were used for the inactivation of bacteria. However, the antiviral activity of LIGbased filters has not been explored. Here we showed that LIG filters also have antiviral effects under application of electrical potential using the model prototypic poxvirus virus Vaccinia lister. This antiviral activity of the LIG filters was compared with its antibacterial activity, which showed that higher voltages are required for virus inactivation compared to bacteria. The generation of reactive oxygen species, along with surface electrical effects, play a role in the mechanism for the virus inactivation.