This study aimed at analyzing the effect of silver nanoparticles (NP-Ag), copper oxide (NP-CuO) and silver and copper oxide (NP-Ag-CuO) concentrations, when impregnated with granular activated carbon (GAC), on viral inactivation. Bacteriophage T4 was used as virus indicator model and the experiments were carried out in batch mode under the controlled conditions of 25 degrees C and pH 7. Experimental data were represented by the kinetic equation of Chick-Watson. The results indicated a significant increase in virus inactivation and in the rate constant after the incorporation of nanoparticles on the GAC surface. Virus inactivation and rate constants were greater for the samples in which the synergistic effect of silver and copper oxide nanoparticles (NP-Ag-CuO) had occurred. From these results, it is possible to conclude that granular activated carbon, modified with NP-Ag-CuO (GAC/NP6), is a potential absorbent for application in virus inactivation over short contact times. The development of nanomaterials can be applied to water treatment processes as an alternative disinfection method. (C) 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.