Chemical and biological decontamination functions of nanofibrous membranes

Abstract

Novel composite membranes with poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene-g-diallylmelamine) (PVA-co-PE-g-DAM) nanofibers layered on poly(propylene-g-diallylmelamine) (PP-g-DAM) meltblown nonwoven fabric were successfully developed as lightweight and breathable protective materials with chemical and biological decontamination functions. By controlling levels of coated nanofibers, three nanofibrous membranes with similar surface morphology, hydrophilicity and transport properties were prepared. The N-halamine precursor moieties in the membrane matrices can be converted to active N-halamine structures with a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution, and the active chlorine content on the membranes is rechargeable and durable. The chlorinated nanofibrous membranes demonstrated very powerful and rapid biocidal effects against both E. coli and S. aureus by contact, as well as excellent disinfection effect to wet bacterial penetration through the membrane. Furthermore, the efficient chemical detoxification functions of the halamine nanofibrous membranes were also observed by a total decontamination of aldicarb, a carbamate pesticide, within 30 min. These PVA-co-PE-g-DAM nanofiber composite membranes can serve as ideal ultra-light filtering media for chemical and biological protective clothing materials.

N-Halamine-Modified Antimicrobial Polypropylene Nonwoven Fabrics for Use against Airborne Bacteria

“…Zhu and co-workers have studied nanofibrous membranes coated with a novel Nhalamine copolymer. 18 The efficacies of these membranes against wet E. coli and S. aureus were very good with 7 to 8 log reductions within 15 min contact time, further emphasizing the superior utility of N-halamine antimicrobials. However, air penetration of the filter materials was reduced considerably by the coating process in contrast to the current results for the MC-coated fabrics.…”

Rapid disinfection by N-halamine polyelectrolytes

“…1 Cross-infection is the main reason for health-care-associated infections, and so the development of biocidal surfaces that inactive microorganisms on contact is critical. 3 In this respect, immobilizations of antimicrobials, such as light activated compounds, 4,5 quaternary ammonium salts, [6][7][8][9] synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides, 10,11 silver ions, 12,13 N-halamines, [14][15][16][17][18] and others have been extensively utilized to prevent surface contamination. 3 In this respect, immobilizations of antimicrobials, such as light activated compounds, 4,5 quaternary ammonium salts, [6][7][8][9] synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides, 10,11 silver ions, 12,13 N-halamines, [14][15][16][17][18] and others have been extensively utilized to prevent surface contamination.…”

Protective Clothing Based on Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes

“…The increasing apprehension for professional protection of health care, agriculture production, military personnel, emergency responses, and over exposure to biological and chemical hazards has stimulated the developments of novel protective clothing materials [1]. The presently used protective clothing materials are typically impermeable barriers to block penetration of any contaminants or containing scavengers to absorb any penetrated toxins [2].…”