Photocatalytic Nanomaterials for the Abatement of Microorganisms

Pathogenic microorganisms can easily spread throughout the world population, as the current COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically demonstrated. In this scenario, protection against pathogens and other microorganisms can come from the use of photoactive materials as antimicrobial agents able to hinder, or at least limit, pathogens’ growth by means of photocatalytically assisted processes activated by light, possibly sunlight. Photocatalytic nanomaterials, such as semiconductor oxides or plasmonic nanoparticles, are able to promote the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can kill microorganisms in water or on surfaces without affecting human health. Photocatalytic nanomaterials could be used in different application fields (hospitals, medical industry, pharmaceutical, and food sector) as a good alternative to drugs or chemicals to prevent pathogen proliferation. However, several experimental factors (such as microorganism class, experimental set-up, growth conditions, chemical environment used to carry out the antimicrobial tests) could affect the effectiveness of photocatalytic nanomaterials and the reliability of the results leading to contradicting results. The aim of this Special Issue is to collect original research papers or reviews dealing with photocatalytic nanomaterials synthesis, characterization, and application in microbial inactivation (bacteria, viruses, fungi) driven by light. Manuscripts dealing with the elucidation of the mechanism beyond photocatalytic inactivation will be more than welcomed. Special attention will be devoted to manuscripts dealing with SARS-CoV-2 abatements.