Table 2 Nanotechnology application for COVID-19 prevention and treatment

Prevention

Facemasks

Providing wearing comfort, increasing protection against small particles, producing bio-reversible masks

Silver and copper-based nanostructures, biosensors, carbon nanotubes

[53, 54]

Disinfection of surfaces and PPE

Long-lasting surface disinfectors, self-sterilization, a spectrum of antimicrobial actions (antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral), bio-safety

Metallic NPs, especially silver

[55]

Vaccine

Protecting the loaded antigen, passing tissue barriers, multiple targeting, manageable size and surface features, immune stimulatory properties, controllable drug release

Vaccine adjuvant NPs, Nano carriers

[36, 56]

Therapeutic

Detection

Rapid and early-stage detection with excellent efficiency by anti-spike antibodies, minimum contamination, and increased sensitivity.

Gold and graphene-based NPs

[57]

Antivirals

Improving low solubility and bioavailability, reducing systemic toxicity, crossing biological barriers, increasing short half-life, controlling drug delivery

Nanocarriers such as polymeric NPs, Nanomedicine for combination drug therapy

[46, 58]