Self-Sterilizing Laser-Induced Graphene Bacterial Air Filter

Abstract

Nosocomial infections transmitted through airborne, droplet, aerosol, and particulate-transported modes pose substantial infection risks to patients and healthcare employees. In this study, we demonstrate a self-cleaning filter comprised of laser-induced graphene (LIG), a porous conductive graphene foam formed through photothermal conversion of a polyimide film by a commercial CO 2 laser cutter. LIG was shown to capture particulates and bacteria. The bacteria cannot proliferate even when submerged in culture medium. Through a periodic Joule-heating mechanism, the filter readily reaches >300 °C. This destroys any microorganisms including bacteria, along with molecules that can cause adverse biological reactions and diseases. These molecules include pyrogens, allergens, exotoxins, endotoxins, mycotoxins, nucleic acids, and prions. Capitalizing on the high surface area and thermal stability of LIG, the utility of graphene for reduction of nosocomial infection in hospital settings is suggested.

Face Masks in the New COVID-19 Normal: Materials, Testing, and Perspectives

“…Apart from the aforementioned antimicrobial properties, a few self-cleaning or self-sterilizing approaches are available for repeated prolonged or repeated use of masks. Stanford et al demonstrate self-sterilizing laser-induced graphene (LIG) in air filters [266]. The LIG has a high surface area and traps microbes whose proliferation is inhibited on the graphene.…”

“…Graphene, the superstar of 2D materials, has been most explored as an antimicrobial in various areas [ 264 ]. Graphene and its derivatives have also been widely used with other antimicrobial agents, taking advantage of their large surface area, for a synergistic effect to enhance antimicrobial efficacy [ 265 , 266 ]. Recently, the excellent photothermal properties of graphene in NIR regions have been utilized to increase the surface temperature and thus inactivate microorganisms [ 267 , 268 ].…”

Can graphene take part in the fight against COVID-19?

“…Besides the treatment approaches based on graphene capturing, this nanomaterial has also applicability in the control of the epidemiological spreading of the disease. Graphene filters have been produced for capturing particulates and bacteria to decrease the transmission of nosocomial infections [33]. The bacteria blocked on the filter are not able to proliferate and by increasing filter temperature over 300 • C microorganisms along with molecules that can cause diseases are destroyed.…”

Laser‐Induced Graphene for Electrothermally Controlled, Mechanically Guided, 3D Assembly and Human–Soft Actuators Interaction

“…Most recently, the applications of LIG in flexible electronics, artificial throats, supercapacitors, and bacterial air filters have been well explored. [ 41–45 ] However, the studies in LIG‐enabled, electrothermally controlled, mechanically guided 3D assembly are still limited.…”