Recent advances in filter materials for efficient photodynamic inactivation of pathogens in the air

The global epidemic of COVID-19 has intensified the urgency for the development of high-efficiency air filters with antiviral and antibacterial properties. While conventional commercial air purifiers can filter particulate matter, they often fall short of eradicating airborne pathogens. Thus, there is a critical need to innovate air filtration systems capable of not just trapping but exterminating harmful microorganisms to impede their airborne transmission. One potential solution is to use antibacterial photodynamic technique (aPDT). Indeed, recent years have witnessed the rapid growth in this area. This review summaries applications of aPDT for air disinfection through the inactivation of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. In addition, the mechanisms of photosensitizer-assisted pathogen inactivation and the futher development in photodynamic air disinfection technique are also discussed.