Electrocharged facepiece respirator fabrics using common materials

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused a global pandemic on a scale not seen for over a century. Increasing evidence suggests that respiratory droplets and aerosols are likely the most common route of transmission for SARS-CoV-2. Since the virus can be spread by presymptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, universal face masking has been recommended as a straightforward and low-cost strategy to mitigate virus transmission. Numerous governments and public health agencies around the world have advocated for or mandated the wearing of masks in public settings, especially in situations where social distancing is not possible. However, the efficacy of wearing a mask remains controversial. This interdisciplinary review summarizes the current, state-of-the-art understanding of mask usage against COVID-19. It covers three main aspects of mask usage amid the pandemic: quality standards for various face masks and their fundamental filtration mechanisms, empirical methods for quantitatively determining mask integrity and particle filtration efficiency, and decontamination methods that allow for the reuse of traditionally disposable N95 and surgical masks. The focus is given to the fundamental physicochemical and engineering sciences behind each aspect covered in this review, providing novel insights into the current understanding of mask usage to curb COVID-19 spread.

show abstract

“…Once in contact, the particles adhere to the fiber via van der Waals attraction and remain stuck. [ 59 , 62 , 63 ]…”

Section: Standards Testing Methods and Efficacy Of Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Face masks against COVID-19: Standards, efficacy, testing and decontamination methods

Boisvert

Zuo

2021

Advances in Colloid and Interface Science

111

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thus, along with the size-assisted filtration by the pore and inertial impaction, the electrostatic attraction-assisted filtration is also found to be occurring in PPY layers. Such masks have efficiency at the 95% level as respiratory masks to protect even from virus and bacteria [ 16 ]. But, it has been found that the charge on the PPY fabrics does not hold for more than 8 h upon exposure to the ambient conditions and hence, such masks drastically decrease in efficiency after such a short period [ 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphene oxide-based rechargeable respiratory masks

Figerez

Patra

Rajalakshmi

et al. 2020

Oxford Open Materials Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Respiratory masks having similar standards of ‘N95’, defined by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, will be highly sought after, post the current COVID-19 pandemic. Here, such a low-cost (∼$1/mask) mask design having electrostatic rechargeability and filtration efficiency of >95% with a quality factor of ∼20 kPa−1 is demonstrated. This filtration efficacy is for particles of size 300 nm. The tri-layer mask, named PPDFGO tri, contains nylon, modified polypropylene (PPY), and cotton nonwoven fabrics as three layers. The melt-spun PPY, available in a conventional N95 mask, modified with graphene oxide and polyvinylidene fluoride mixture containing paste using a simple solution casting method acts as active filtration layer. The efficacy of this tri-layer system toward triboelectric rechargeability using small mechanical agitations is demonstrated here. These triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)-assisted membranes have high electrostatic charge retention capacity (∼1 nC/cm2 after 5 days in ambient condition) and high rechargeability even in very humid conditions (>80% RH). A simple but robust permeability measurement set up is also constructed to test these TENG-based membranes, where a flow rate of 30–35 L/min is maintained during the testing. Such a simple modification to the existing mask designs enabling their rechargeability via external mechanical disturbances, with enhanced usability for single use as well as for reuse with decontantamination, will be highly beneficial in the realm of indispensable personal protective equipment.

show abstract

“…In this work, we test various low-cost mask systems alongside popular medical and high-performance masks such as N95 masks. N95 masks use electrostatic filtration to trap particles [1]. Sars-CoV2 has amino acids that are chemically attached to sugars which can be charged, and is negatively charged at a neutral pH [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…N95 masks use electrostatic filtration to trap particles [1]. Sars-CoV2 has amino acids that are chemically attached to sugars which can be charged, and is negatively charged at a neutral pH [1]. Thus, electrostatic surfaces like that of an N95 mask trap virus particles very effectively, adding an extra layer of filtration beyond the physical barriers of a mask [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wound wash sterile saline solution, consisting of purified water and 0.9% sodium chloride, represents respiratory aerosols that the virus travels through. Since the saline solution is polar, it more accurately represents the chemical properties of a virus [1]. The aerosolized liquid then pops out through the micromesh holes of the metal in atomized particles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Low-Cost Enhancement of Facial Mask Filtration to Prevent Transmission of COVID-19

Bhimaraju

Nag

Jain

2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The use of face masks is recommended worldwide to reduce the spread of COVID-19. A plethora of facial coverings and respirators, both commercial and homemade, pervade the market, but the true filtration capabilities of many homemade measures against the virus are unclear and continue to be unexplored. In this work, we compare the efficacy of the following masks in keeping out particulate matter below 2.5 microns: N95 respirators, surgical masks, cloth masks, cloth masks with activated carbon air filters, cloth masks with HVAC air filters, lightly starch-enhanced cloth masks, and heavily-starched cloth masks. The experiments utilize an inhalation system and aerosol chamber to simulate a masked individual respiring aerosolized air. COVID-19 disproportionately affects people in low-income communities, who often lack the resources to acquire appropriate personal protective equipment and tend to lack the flexibility to shelter in place due to their public-facing occupations. This work tests low-cost enhancements to homemade masks to assist these communities in making better masks to reduce viral transmission. Experimental results demonstrate that the filtration efficacy of cloth masks with either a light or heavy starch can approach the performance of much costlier masks. This discovery supports the idea of low-cost enhancements to reduce transmission and protect individuals from contracting COVID-19.

show abstract

Electrocharged facepiece respirator fabrics using common materials

Cited by 25 publications

References 46 publications

Face masks against COVID-19: Standards, efficacy, testing and decontamination methods

Face masks against COVID-19: Standards, efficacy, testing and decontamination methods

Graphene oxide-based rechargeable respiratory masks

Low-Cost Enhancement of Facial Mask Filtration to Prevent Transmission of COVID-19

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About