A Super-breathable “Woven-like” Protein Nanofabric

Abstract

Nanofabrics made from abundant natural protein that possesses enormous amounts of functional groups may have important applications such as air filtration. However, protein nanofabrics with randomly distributed nanofibers have very low mechanical properties and high airflow resistance, both of which seriously reduce the breathability. Here, a super-breathable zein (corn protein) fabric having a unique "woven-like" nanofibrous structure (w-PNF) via the accumulation effect between the charged nanofibers and the collector during electrospinning is reported. The resulting w-PNF exhibits remarkable tensile strength and modulus, which are 3 and 9 times, respectively, higher than the random protein nanofibrous materials. The filtration tests indicate that w-PNF presents super-breathable performance, including ultralow airflow resistance (1/12 of that of the nonwoven nanofabric) and high filtration efficiency for capturing PM 2.5 . As compared with the reported nanofabrics, w-PNF maintains the same airflow resistance at up to 4 times higher airflow rate. In addition, w-PNF presents visible-light transparency (80%) and high resolution even in microareas. This work provides a significant strategy for designing and fabricating nanofabrics for boosting the development of biological nanomaterials.

High Efficiency Antibacterial, Moisture Permeable, and Low Temperature Comfortable Janus Nanofiber Membranes for High Performance Air Filters and Respiration Monitoring Sensors

“…The filtration efficiency (η) of NF@Ag air filters is calculated by the following equation: [ 27 ] $$\[ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}}{\eta \left( \\end{array} \]$$…”

“…The quality factor ( QF ) of NF@Ag air filters is defined as: [ 27,28 ] $$\[ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}}{QF\;\left( {P{a^{ - 1}}} \right) = \; - \frac{{ln\left( {1 - \eta } \right)}}{{\Delta P}}}\end{array} \]$$where C down and C up represent the upstream and downstream NaCl aerosol particles concentrations, respectively. Δ P is the pressure drop.…”

Biopolímeros, Processamento e Aplicações

“…68,69 A zeína possui uma variedade de aplicações em importantes setores industriais, como o de adesivos, embalagens, cerâmico, farmacêutico, cosmético e têxtil [69][70][71][72][73] em função de sua biodegradabilidade, biocompatibilidade e não toxicidade, mas, principalmente, pela alta disponibilidade e baixo custo, bem como versatilidade em termos de processamento na forma de filmes, fibras, géis e membranas. [74][75][76]…”

Efficient, Breathable, and Compostable Multilayer Air Filter Material Prepared from Plant-Derived Biopolymers

“…In previously reported studies on electrospun zein air filter materials, the particle filtration efficiencies range from 93% to 99.99% and the pressure drop ranges between 90 and 175 Pa. However, these studies involved testing the nanofibrous filter materials under lower airflow rates of 2-6 cm/s, and their expected pressure drop would exceed the limits required for breathability when extrapolated to an airflow velocity of 10 cm/s as required by the ASTM standard F3502-21 for barrier face coverings (face masks for bioaerosols) [7][8][9].…”