Daylight-Induced Antibacterial and Antiviral Nanofibrous Membranes Containing Vitamin K Derivatives for Personal Protective Equipment

Abstract

During the development of antibacterial and antiviral materials for personal protective equipment (PPE), daylight active functional polymeric materials containing vitamin K compounds (VKs) and impacts of polymer structures to the functions were investigated. As examples, hydrophobic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and hydrophilic poly­(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (PVA-co-PE) polymers were directly blended with three VK compounds and electrospun into VK-containing nanofibrous membranes (VNFMs). The prepared VNFMs exhibited robust photoactivity in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) under both daylight (D65, 300–800 nm) and ultraviolet A (UVA, 365 nm) irradiation, resulting in high antimicrobial and antiviral efficiency (>99.9%) within a short exposure time (<90 min). Interestingly, the PVA-co-PE/VK3 VNFM showed higher ROS production rates and better biocidal functions than those of the PAN/VK3 VNFM under the same photoirradiation conditions, indicating that PVA-co-PE is a better matrix polymer material for these functions. Moreover, the prepared PVA-co-PE/VK3 VNFM maintains its powerful microbicidal function even after five times of repeated exposures to bacteria and viruses, showing the stability and reusability of the antimicrobial materials. The fabrication of photoinduced antimicrobial VNFMs may provide new insights into the development of non-toxic and reusable photoinduced antimicrobial materials that could be applied in personal protective equipment with improved biological protections.

Nanotechnology-Based Self-Sterilizing Surfaces and Their Potential in Combating COVID-19

“…For appraisal of the reusability of PPE kits coated with self-sterilizing material, Zhang et al developed daylight-active, vitamin K-containing nanofibrous membranes composed of hydrophobic polyacrylonitrile and hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol- co -ethylene), which displayed resilient photoactivity for the generation of biocidal ROS [ 9 ]. A short exposure time of nanofibrous membranes to daylight or UV-A or -B radiation for less than 90 min caused >99.9% inhibition of Gram-negative E coli , Gram-positive L innocua and bacteriophage T7.…”

Biomedical Applications of Antiviral Nanohybrid Materials Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Viral Crises

“…On the other hand, under same conditions, the moisture permeability increases. Zhang et al [ 21 ] devised an antiviral nanofibrous membrane composed of vitamin k incorporated poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) that could show intensive photoactivity, thereby generating ROS under solar and UVA light. As a result of such a performance, the nanofiber membrane was able to inactivate >99.9% of viruses and thus offer a promising capacity for development of PPE and face masks.…”

Recent developments in filtration media and respirator technology in response to COVID-19

“…The PVA-co-PE generated the ROS at a higher rate than the PAN and maintained its antiviral functions after five repeated exposures to viruses and light irradiation cycles, suggesting that it is better suited as an antiviral respirator material. 48 Cotton respirators were given antiviral properties by first modifying the cotton with 2-die-thylaminoethyl chloride (DEAE-Cl) then functionalized with Rose Bengal (RB) or anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid sodium salt monohydrate (2-AQS). The RB and 2-AQS were added through a traditional dying process.…”