Copper‐PCL/PVP virucidal nanofibers against coronavirus produced by electrospinning technology

Abstract

This work investigated the virucidal property of copper‐loaded poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) blended nanofibers against coronavirus. Electrospinning solutions were prepared with 0.25, 0.75, and 1.50% [w/v] of copper salt and their properties of electrical conductivity, surface tension, and viscosity were measured. The copper‐PCL/PVP nanofibers produced electrospun composite membranes of 30.5–38 g m−2. IR spectra confirmed the blended PCL/PVP, and SEM/EDS images revealed the morphology of the randomly oriented nanofibers with homogeneously incorporated copper in the electrospun nanofibers. The copper quantification indicated the final incorporation of 5.50 ± 0.31, 14.00 ± 1.03, and 27.10 ± 3.00 mg g−1 of copper, as measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, into electrospun composite membranes for 0.25, 0.75, and 1.50% [w/v] copper solution formulations, respectively, and these compositions also affected the nanofibers mechanical properties. Copper release assays showed that copper‐PCL/PVP nanofibers readily release ions into aqueous media. The 0.75% copper‐PCL/PVP composite membrane was virucidal against coronavirus, reaching 99.99% inactivation in 1 hour and 99.999% inactivation in 24 h, and non‐cytotoxic to L929 cells in 24 h of exposure. This work presents a virucidal composite membrane with potential use in personal protective equipment against viral outbreaks or pandemics.