Surface innovation to enhance anti-droplet and hydrophobic behavior of breathable compressed-polyurethane masks

Abstract

With the emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it is essential that face masks demonstrating significant anti-droplet and hydrophobic characteristics are developed and distributed. In this study, a commercial compressed-polyurethane (C-PU) mask was modified by applying a hydrophobic and anti-droplet coating using a silica sol, which was formed by the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) under alkaline conditions and hydrolyzed hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) to achieve hydrophobization. The modified mask (C-PU/Si/HDTMS) demonstrated good water repellency resulting in high water contact angle (132°) and low sliding angle (17°). Unmodified and modified masks were characterized using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A drainage test confirmed the strong interaction between the mask surface and coating. Moreover, the coating had negligible effect on the average pore size of the C-PU mask, which retained its high breathability after modification. The application of this coating is a facile approach to impart anti-droplet, hydrophobic, and self-cleaning characteristics to C-PU masks.

Microplastics waste in environment: A perspective on recycling issues from PPE kits and face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The global production and disposal of face masks and medical materials, as well as the existence of plastic laboratories, have increased dramatically ( Fadare and Okoffo, 2020 , Ray et al, 2020 ). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was predicted that the amount of plastic debris would double by 2030, regardless of the numerous efforts of governments worldwide to reduce single-use products ( Silva et al, 2021 , Vanapalli et al, 2021 ).…”

Functionalized Masks: Powerful Materials against COVID‐19 and Future Pandemics

“…Ray et al improved the hydrophobicity of the masks by coating a monolayer of highly hydrophobic hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) on the surface of masks. [91] The face mask made from compressed-polyurethane typically has a microporous structure with the ability to block 99% of the particles of pollen size and can be reused easily after washing. However, its high hydrophilicity reduces its efficiency significantly after it becomes wet.…”

The shadow pandemic of single use personal protective equipment plastic waste: A blue print for suppression and eradication

“…As face masks and isolation gowns become synonymous with the global struggle against COVID19, the world has only begun to also realise the ecological damage caused by these very important and essential items [ 3 , 4 ]. Globally, about 129 billion single use face masks are discarded each month [ 5 ].…”