Innovative Textiles Used in Face Masks: Filtration Efficiency and Self-Disinfecting Properties against Coronaviruses

Abstract

Within the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, personal protective equipment, including face masks, is one important tool to interrupt virus transmission chains within the community. In this context, the quality of different face masks is frequently discussed and should, therefore, be evaluated. In this study, nanofleece textiles with a particle filtering effect and textiles with a self-disinfecting treatment were examined, which may be combined in face masks. Firstly, newly developed nanofleece textiles were tested regarding their filtration efficiency against airborne coronavirus, using feline coronavirus (FCoV) as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2. The tested nanofleece textiles showed filtration efficiencies of over 95% against FCoV when used as a double layer and were, therefore, almost on par with the FFP-2 mask material, which was used as a reference. Secondly, eight treated, self-disinfecting textiles, which may increase the safety in the handling of potentially contaminated masks, were tested against SARS-CoV-2. Three out of eight treated textiles showed significant activity against SARS-CoV-2 and achieved about three LOG10 (99.9%) of virus titer reduction after twelve hours of incubation. Since all possible transmission paths of SARS-CoV-2, as well as the minimal infection doses, remain unknown, both investigated approaches seem to be useful tools to lower the virus spread within the community.

Stability of Feline Coronavirus in aerosols and dried in organic matrices on surfaces at various environmental conditions

“…An FCoV I strain, biotype FECV (isolate “München”), provided by the Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI, Insel Riems, Germany; viral registration number RVB-1259), was used for all experiments. FCoV was propagated and titrated using Crandell-Rees Feline Kidney Cells (CRFK; ATTC CCL-94) as described previously 22 . The cells were grown in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM High Glucose, Biowest, Nuaillé, France) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; PAN Biotech, Aidenbach, Germany) and 1% of a solution containing 100 IU/mL penicillin G, 100 µg/mL streptomycin (Biochrom AG, Berlin, Germany) and 25 µg/mL Amphotericin B (Biozym, Hessisch Oldendorf, Germany).…”

“…The cells were grown in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM High Glucose, Biowest, Nuaillé, France) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS; PAN Biotech, Aidenbach, Germany) and 1% of a solution containing 100 IU/mL penicillin G, 100 µg/mL streptomycin (Biochrom AG, Berlin, Germany) and 25 µg/mL Amphotericin B (Biozym, Hessisch Oldendorf, Germany). Virus quantification was performed as described recently 22 . In brief: we performed endpoint dilution assays.…”

Utilizing Rapid Hydrogen Peroxide Generation from 6-Hydroxycatechol to Design Moisture-Activated, Self-Disinfecting Coating

“…Using self-disinfecting face masks , or surfaces is a convenient and effective approach to control the spread of infections while reducing exposure to disinfectant products, which may cause health problems . Currently available self-disinfecting methods ,− rely on external factors such as heat or light or may not offer rapid disinfection, making them inconvenient or impractical for on-demand use. Hence, achieving rapid and effective antipathogenic performance is essential when developing self-disinfecting coatings.…”