Heat Conduction and Antibacterial Hexagonal Boron Nitride/Polypropylene Nanocomposite Fibrous Membranes for Face Masks with Long-Time Wearing Performance

Abstract

Wearing surgical masks is one of the best protective measures to protect humans from viral invasion during the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. However, wearing surgical masks for extended periods will cause uncomfortable sweltering sense to users and are easy to breed bacteria. Here, we reported a novel fibrous membrane with outstanding comfortability and antibacterial activity prepared by PP ultrafine fiber nonwovens and antibacterial functionalized h-BN nanoparticles (QAC/h-BN). The thermal conductivity of commercial PP nonwovens was only 0.13 W m–1 K–1, but that of the QAC/h-BN/PP nanocomposite fibrous membranes can reach 0.88 W m–1 K–1, an enhancement of 706.5% than commercial PP nonwovens. The surface temperature of commercial PP surgical masks was 31.8 °C when the wearing time was 60 min. In contrast, QAC/h-BN/PP surgical masks can reach 33.6 °C at the same tested time, exhibiting stronger heat dissipation than commercial PP surgical masks. Besides, the antibacterial rates of QAC/h-BN/PP nanocomposite fibrous membranes were 99.3% for E. coli and 96.1% for S. aureus, and their antibacterial mechanism was based on “contact killing” without the release of unfavorable biocides. We think that the QAC/h-BN/PP nanocomposite fibrous membranes could provide better protection to people.

Enhanced Medical and Community Face Masks with Antimicrobial Properties: A Systematic Review

“…One study investigated commercially available antimicrobial FFRs [ 16 ], all other studies proposed novel antimicrobial systems [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. A total of 15 studies concerned antimicrobial properties pertained through modification of pre-existing masks, filters or fabric substrates [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Two studies introduced antimicrobial compounds directly during fibre synthesis [ 23 , 28 ].…”

“…Only one clinical study, where bacteria were recovered from masks worn by volunteers, compared bacterial growth between worn/unworn masks [ 29 ]. Many studies compared antimicrobial activity towards Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, most commonly investigated bacteria were by far Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ) [ 18 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 27 , 28 ]. In order to measure activity against viruses, four studies used surrogates: three investigated the MS2 bacteriophage (MS2) [ 16 , 25 , 31 ] and one utilised extracellular vesicles as ‘virus like particles’ [ 26 ].…”

“…Two QACs were evaluated [ 19 , 21 ]. Tseng et al [ 19 ] applied Goldshield 5 (QAC based commercial detergent), to a surgical face mask.…”

Biodegradable and multifunctional surgical face masks: A brief review on demands during COVID-19 pandemic, recent developments, and future perspectives

“…2 g, although surgical face masks are made with one filtering layer (S-M—S), respirators contain three filtering layers (S-SMM( E )-S) with higher weights and higher filtration efficiencies. Other composite structures, including SM, SMS, ME, SE can be used in the filtration of PM in nano and micron sizes to meet a high degree of filtration ( Mukhopadhyay, 2014 ; Xiong et al, 2021 ).

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“…Face masks consist of multiple layers of filter media which are used as protection devices in respiratory diseases ( Mukhopadhyay, 2014 ; Xiong et al, 2021 ). The whole structure includes an outer layer (droplet and stain resistant), inner or middle layer(s) (the filtering layer), an outer layer (comfort layer for the skin touch), inner and outer nosepieces (foam and flexible coated aluminum, respectively, to provide better sealing), and headbands/earloops (elastic rubber straps) ( Mueller et al, 2018 ; Oberg and Brosseau, 2008 ; Tebyetekerwa et al, 2020 ).…”