Abstract Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CIPRO) is considered an emerging pollutant in aquatic environments with the capacity to disseminate antibiotic resistance. Considering the pro-oxidant potential of ZnO and Cu-doped ZnO (Cu-ZnO) wurtzite crystals, the potential Ciprofloxacin photodegradation by these materials was investigated. CIPRO titration with ZnO and Cu-ZnO promoted the formation of zinc complexes and ~4% antibiotic adsorption. The carboxylic groups of CIPRO can complex Zn2+ by promoting the nanoetching of ZnO and Cu-ZnO crystallite surfaces. The alkaline interfaces provided by ZnO create a microenvironment favorable for Zn2+ chelation by CIPRO carboxylates. The photodegradation degree was similar for CIPRO and CIPRO-Zn under UV light, as revealed by UV-visible spectroscopy and FTIR. Therefore, the ZnO and Cu-ZnO crystals contributed to the formation of CIPRO-Zn rather than the photo-oxidative degradation of the antibiotic. Considering that CIPRO-Zn chelates disfavor bacterial selection for resistance, the treatment of CIPRO-contaminated effluents with ZnO and Cu-ZnO can facilitate desirable metal chelation without impairing photodegradation.

Abstract The development of self-disinfectant devices is highly needed to prevent and control infections, mainly caused by virus. In the past years, coronaviruses have been a threat to humanity, causing severe epidemics of respiratory infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), in 2003, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012, and presently the SARS-CoV2 is causing the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous studies have demonstrated that surface contamination play a significant role in the spreading of viruses. These studies demonstrated that the production of highly reactive species by copper alloys contributes to rapid elimination of viruses. Nanostructured materials such as semiconductors TiO2, Co3O4 CuO, NiO, and TiO2, and silver nanoparticles can decrease the virus viability on the surfaces when associated with polymers and textiles, especially in conditions of light exposure. In addition, graphene oxide is rising as a promising material for inactivation of viruses due to its capacity of destroying the viral envelope and capsid. The virucidal property of these materials can be enhanced by increasing their functionalization with photosensitizers. The present mini-review brings subsidies for the development of new advanced self-disinfectant materials that can be used in the manufacture of gloves, masks, and a variety of other devices.