Temperature-adjustable F-carbon nanofiber/carbon fiber nanocomposite fibrous masks with excellent comfortability and anti-pathogen functionality

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Nanotechnology Transition Roadmap toward Multifunctional Stimuli-Responsive Face Masks

“…Recently, researchers in the field of protection masks are working to include additional features in face masks, enabling an active filtration in protective equipment. This section focuses on the development of novel active filtering membranes that maintain constantly active properties over time …”

“…Xiong et al proposed fabricating masks from electrospun fluorinated carbon nanofibers/carbon fibers (F-CNFs/CF) . These fibers were used to replace commercially available polypropylene nonwovens as the core layer in face masks.…”

“…The through-plane and in-plane thermal conductivities of commercial PP nonwovens were only 0.12 and 0.20 W m –1 K –1 , but the fabricated nanofiber membranes achieved 0.62 and 5.23 W m –1 K –1 , representing an improvement of 380 and 2523%, respectively, providing better heat dissipation. The fabricated face masks provided outstanding comfort due to the mentioned thermal properties (Figure a) …”

“…(a) Structure of nanocomposite fiber masks made of commercially available PP surgical masks and F-CNFs/CF nanocomposite fibers as well as the thermal analysis results obtained for the fibrous masks. Reproduced with permission from ref . Copyright 2022 Elsevier.…”

“…This section focuses on the development of novel active filtering membranes that maintain constantly active properties over time. 116 Active Thermal Dissipation for Wearability and Comfort Optimization. Wearing face masks remains the most effective protective measure against COVID-19 infection even after mass vaccination, but an inadequate comfort and low antibacterial/antiviral activities accelerate the frequency of surgical mask replacement, resulting in large amounts of medical waste.…”