Cost-Effective Face Mask Filter Based on Hybrid Composite Nanofibrous Layers with High Filtration Efficiency

Abstract

One of the main protective measures against COVID-19's spread is the use of face masks. It is therefore of the utmost importance for face masks to be high functioning in terms of their filtration ability and comfort. Notwithstanding the prevalence of the commercial polypropylene face masks, its effectiveness is under contention, leaving vast room for improvement. During the pandemic, the use of at least one mask per day for each individual results in a massive number of masks that need to be safely disposed of. Fabricating biodegradable filters of high efficiency not only can protect individuals and save the environment but also can be sewed on reusable/washable cloth masks to reduce expenses. Wearing surgical masks for long periods of time, especially in hot regions, causes discomfort by irritating sensitive facial skin and warmed inhaled air. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of novel electrospun composites layers as face mask filters for protection against pathogens and tiny particulates. The combinatorial filter layers are made by integrating TiO 2 nanotubes as fillers into chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) polymeric electrospun nanofibers as the outer layer. The other two fillerfree layers, chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) and silk/poly(vinyl alcohol) as the middle and inner composite layers, respectively, were used for controlled protection, contamination prevention, and comfort for prolonged usage. The ASTM standards evaluation tests were adopted to evaluate the efficacy of the assembled filter, revealing high filtration efficiency compared to that of commercial surgical masks. The TiO 2 /Cs/PVA outer layer significantly reduced Staphylococcus aureus bacteria by 44.8% compared to the control, revealing the dual effect of TiO 2 and chitosan toward the infectious bacterial colonies. Additionally, molecular dynamics calculations were used to assess the mechanical properties of the filter layers.

Fabrication of air filters with advanced filtration performance for removal of viral aerosols and control the spread of COVID-19

“…Furthermore, all materials were affordable and easy to fabricate and handle. The outcomes revealed high filtration efficiency, and the outer layer considerably reduced S. aureus bacteria (by 44.8%) due to the performance of TiO 2 and chitosan infectious [ 39 ].…”

“… MS2 bacteriophage SiO 2 /Ag [ 31 ] ~92% anti-viral efficiency aerosolized MS2 virus SiO 2 -Ag [ 32 ] Great removal efficiency (99.30%) Particulate matter 0.3 Zein nanofibers-Ag@paper towel [ 33 ] Performance toward E.coli (99.10%) as well as S. aureus (99.62%) E. coli and S. aureus Keratin/Ag [ 34 ] The filtration efficiencies for the prepared composite filter for particulate matters 2.5 and particulate matter 10 were 99.7% and 99.8%, respectively Particulate matters 2.5 and 10 Bacterial cellulose/Ag [ 35 ] The fabricated filter displayed 99.6% and 100% bacteria reductions toward S. aureus and E. coli , respectively. S. aureus and E. coli Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Ag electrospun nano-fibers [ 36 ] 99.64 and 98.75% of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were killed Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Ag/Zn@cotton fabric [ 38 ] The fabricated anti-viral face masks based on TiO 2 with easily sterilizable and reusable features (more than 1000 times) can provide a strong prevention device against the SARS-CoV-2 Corona and Ebola viruses TiO 2 nanowire-based filter papers Ag/Zn@cotton fabric[ 39 ] High filtration efficiency, and reduced S. aureus bacteria S. aureus TiO 2 /chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) [ 40 ] The fabricated antimicrobial air filters showed an effective inactivation rate against several bioaerosols (∼99.98%) with ∼99.9% filtration efficiency Diverse microorganisms TiO 2 @PFOTES-CV [ 43 ] The blocking performance of the fabric coated with this nano-coa...…”

Natural Polymers and Their Nanocomposites Used for Environmental Applications

“…Thus, hybrid composite nanofibrous layers were fabricated by the immobilization of TiO 2 nanotubes as fillers into chitosan/PVA polymeric electrospun nanofibers. Chitosan/PVA and silk/PVA were used in this facemask filter as the middle and inner composite layers, with the roles of controlling protection and preventing contamination [ 216 ].…”

Antiviral face mask functionalized with solidified hand soap: low-cost infection prevention clothing against enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2

“…In this regard, several antiviral face mask materials against SARS-CoV-2 have been recently proposed. Although, all of these studies propose expensive materials such as graphene, 31,32 graphene oxide and polydopamine, 33 titanium oxide, 34 zinc, 35 copper, 36 silver, 37 conjugated polymers and oligomers, 38 and advanced surface coatings [39][40][41][42] that are designed to inactivate the virus. These antiviral composites are produced with complex and costly manufacturing processes, which render them non-viable for a global solution of the current COVID-19 pandemic strongly affecting both developed and underdeveloped countries.…”