Virus adsorption and elution using cationic polymer brushes: potential applications for passive sampling in wastewater-based epidemiology†

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been recognized as a promising approach for rapid monitoring of infectious diseases in local communities. Development of adsorption materials that efficiently capture viruses is important in WBE to provide precise information on the prevalence of viral infections. Herein, ionic polymer brushes are synthesized for the tuning of virus adsorption and elution. Quaternary ammonium-based cationic polymer brushes exhibit higher adsorption of enveloped and nonenveloped viruses than a low-molecular-weight amine adduct. Moreover, efficient and selective elution of Aichivirus from the polymer brushes is demonstrated. These cationic polymer brushes may be useful as materials for passive sampling of viruses from water.