Covid-19: Prevention, detection, and treatment by using carbon nanotubes-based materials

Abstract

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was responsible for the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The respiratory illness has rapidly spread worldwide and has claimed millions of lives. Although most countries have entered the endemic phase, health authorities warned that future variants could be more virulent than the existing ones. Since clinical trials of antiviral drugs for COVID-19 may last even a year before approval, developing alternative approaches to combat the virus becomes mandatory. Previously, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have exhibited an impressive track record in controlling numerous viral diseases, including COVID-19. In this article, we review recent applications of CNTs for the prevention, detection, and treatment of COVID-19. We highlight the strategies and prospective developments of CNTs in producing personal protection equipment (PPE), vaccines, immune-triggering, development of biosensors and therapeutic strategies. Finally, the challenges, limitations, and future outlook of CNTs in combating COVID-19 are also discussed.