Perspectives on Particle Design Strategies for Better Inactivation of Airborne Pathogens

Airborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi pose significant threats to human health. Various mitigation strategies have been developed, including air filtration, ventilation, UV irradiation, and photocatalytic oxidative disinfection (POD). In particular, the combination of passive air filtration and active POD has promise for the better inactivation of airborne pathogens. However, the efficiency of POD remains hindered by numerous factors, such as inherent fast charge recombination, limited understanding of the interactions between airborne pathogens and catalyst surfaces, and short migration distances of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This perspective elucidates the fundamental principles and constraints of POD and provides several examples for delineating enhancement strategies. The primary objective of this study is to cultivate a cellular-level understanding of the interactions occurring at the biointerfaces in POD systems, thereby revealing the mechanistic pathways and paving the way for future catalyst designs to improve air quality.