Breathability performance of antiviral cloth masks treated with silver nanoparticles for protection against COVID-19

Abstract

The global widespread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused shortage of medical face masks and led to developing of various types of cloth masks with different levels of protection and comfort to meet the market demands. Breathing comfort is a significant aspect that should be considered during the design of cloth masks along with the filtration efficiency; otherwise, the wearer will feel suffocated. In this work, different types of cotton and polyester knitted fabrics blended with spandex yarns were produced and treated with silver nanoparticles to be used as antiviral cloth masks. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and EDX were used to characterize the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Antiviral activity was assessed against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus as well. The influence of using different fabric materials, number of layers, and hybrid layers on their air permeability and breathability were investigated to evaluate the comfortability of the cloth masks. Physiological impacts of wearing the cloth masks were evaluated by measuring oxygen saturation of hemoglobin and heart rate of the wearers while doing various activities. The results indicated that AgNPs have low cytotoxicity and considerable efficiency in inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. Adding spandex yarns with different count and ratios reduced the porosity and air permeability of the fabrics. Moreover, the combination of three hybrid layers’ mask made of polyester fabric in the outer layer with 100% cotton fabric in the inner layer showed high comfortability associated with high air permeability and breathability. Also, wearing these masks while doing activities showed no significant effect on blood oxygen saturation and heart rate of the wearers.

Copper-Nanoparticle-Coated Melt-Blown Facemask Filter with Antibacterial and SARS-CoV-2 Antiviral Ability

“…The breathability performance of the functionalized mask was evaluated because it is a crucial factor in determining the comfortability of the person wearing it. 44 The WVTR measurement, which is defined as the rate of moisture transportation, was used to determine the breathability of a coated melt-blown fabric in comparison with an uncoated one according to a study by Hashmi et al 42 The mean values of WVTR for the uncoated and CuNPs-coated melt-blown samples are 1431 and 1330 g/m 2 /day, respectively (Figure 8). It is concluded that the breathability of coated nonwoven polypropylene is slightly lower (P value = 0.082) than that of the uncoated one, suggesting that a coated melt-blown fabric is comfortable to wear.…”

A comprehensive review on facemask manufacturing, testing, and its environmental impacts

“… 72 To overcome these issues, certain techniques can be implemented, such as fabricating bilayer fabrics or composite, 72 , 73 combining melt-blown and electrospinning process to improve the attachment of Ag particles on the surface of nanofibers, or using in situ techniques and fiber surface modification. 74 , 75 Recently, Hamouda et al 76 used silver nanoparticles on cloth-based facemask and showed that silver can be effectively used as an antiviral agent. They also showed that wearing this cloth based antiviral facemask have high air permeability showing excellent comfort values.…”

Recent advances in functionalization of nanotextiles: A strategy to combat harmful microorganisms and emerging pathogens in the 21st century

“…Also, development of sustainable separation and analytical procedures to quantify nanomaterials in nanotextiles as well as their fate in the environment has been advocated [ 271 ]. Other issues with regards to developments of nanotextiles for biomedical applications include breathability for face mask [ 110 , 218 ] to avoid creation of oxygen tension and enhancement of reusability on the basis of efficiency [ 207 , 272 ].…”