Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Self-Cleaning Mats with Sensing Capabilities Based on Electrospun Nanofibers Decorated with ZnO Nanorods and Ag Nanoparticles for Protective Clothing Applications

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown the importance of developments in fabrication of advanced protective equipment. This study investigates the potential of using multifunctional electrospun poly­(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers decorated with ZnO nanorods and Ag nanoparticles (PMMA/ZnO–Ag NFs) in protective mats. Herein, the PMMA/ZnO–Ag NFs with an average diameter of 450 nm were simply prepared on a nonwoven fabric by directly electrospinning from solutions containing PMMA, ZnO nanorods, and Ag nanoparticles. The novel material showed high performance with four functionalities (i) antibacterial agent for killing of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, (ii) antiviral agent for inhibition of corona and influenza viruses, (iii) photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants, enabling a self-cleaning protective mat, and (iv) reusable surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate for quantitative analysis of trace pollutants on the nanofiber. This multi-functional material has high potential for use in protective clothing applications by providing passive and active protection pathways together with sensing capabilities.

Cellulose Acetate-Based Electrospun Materials with a Variety of Biological Potentials: Antibacterial, Antifungal and Anticancer

“…Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown the importance of developments in the fabrication of advanced materials. Electrospun materials with high drug loadings as oral delivery systems and advanced self-cleaning protective functional materials with excellent antibacterial and antiviral activities were obtained recently by electrospinning [14][15][16].…”

Nanotechnology-Based Self-Sterilizing Surfaces and Their Potential in Combating COVID-19

“…The severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the importance of fabricating and developing advanced protective equipment to minimize virus transmission to frontline workers and health service providers. Karagoz et al developed self-cleaning mats based on multifunctional electrospun PMMA nanofibers decorated with silver nanoparticles and ZnO nanorods [ 7 ]. The reported nanofibers, with an average diameter of 450 nm, were prepared on the nonwoven fabric by direct electrospinning to form solutions containing PMMA, ZnO nanorods and silver nanoparticles.…”

Biomedical Applications of Antiviral Nanohybrid Materials Relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Other Viral Crises

“…In this regard, metal oxides and nanoparticles are widely employed in construction of antiviral polymeric coatings. For instance, Karagoz et al [ 144 ] synthesized nanohybrid nanofibers with antiviral and self-cleaning performance based on surface deposition of Ag nanoparticles and ZnO nanorods onto poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers, Figure 8 a–c. Such nanohybrid nanofiber mats could offer excellent potential for protective clothing, Figure 8 d, thanks to their promising antiviral performance against coronavirus and influenza virus, antibacterial activity for Gram-negative and -positive bacteria, and photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutants, Figure 8 e,f.…”

“…The inset image represents their morphology, ( b ) production of the electrospinning solution through addition of ZnO nanorods and PMMA to the AgNO 3 /DMF solution wherein Ag nanoparticles form via in situ reduction of the Ag salt, ( c ) creation of the ZnO–Ag/PMMA nanofibers through electrospinning, ( d ) the mats comprising the ZnO-Ag/PMMA nanofibers are employed as a protective clothing, and offer antimicrobial ( e ), photocatalytic ( f ), and sensing ( g ) properties. Reproduced with permission [ 144 ], Copyright 2021, American Chemical Society. TEM images show how the Ag nanoparticles adversely affect the Ad3 particles at different intervals.…”