Development of Functional Filter Materials for Virus Protective Face Masks

Abstract

Wearing face masks during pandemics is an important protective measure against the spreading of virus‐related infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the risk of indirect transmission of virus by handling masks is one of the earliest concerns. This problem can be minimized by supplementing the masks’ textile structure with virus protective coatings. Therefore, in this concept, suitable techniques for manufacturing virus protective filter media should be evaluated. In this study, nonwoven polyamide 6 (PA6) filter material is functionalized with negatively charged linear polyglycerol sulfate (LPGS) as a virus binding functional group. Two coating conditions are investigated in which the direct covalent coating with LPGS has emerged as the optimum coating method, showing no damage to the PA6 nanofiber structure. The uncoated PA6 and LPGS‐coated PA6 filter materials exhibited virus particle filtration efficiencies of 95% and 94% for airborne feline coronavirus, 98% and 86% for airborne equine herpesvirus 1(EHV‐1), respectively. However, the SARS‐CoV‐2 absorption assay in solution indicates that the LPGS coating reduces viral titres up to 71% when incubating with the LPGS‐coated PA6 filter media for one‐hour. Thus, such an effect is not seen for uncoated PA6 materials. These findings confirm the suitability of LPGS coating as a suitable platform for suppression the spreading of viruses in different pandemics.

The Rise of Electroactive Materials in Face Masks for Preventing Virus Infections

“…Infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses can spread rapidly across the globe, becoming a serious threat to human health and safety. , Vaccines and antiviral drugs have been effective methods for combating epidemic viral diseases. − However, developing new antiviral vaccines or drugs requires long cycles, and the continuous mutation of viruses may lead to vaccine failure. , Since respiratory virus transmission is mainly through contact with respiratory droplets, the World Health Organization recommends wearing masks to protect individuals from infection. , However, most current masks or protective clothing only provide passive protection through a physical barrier and have no virucidal capacity. − The arbitrary removal of used masks in a nonmedical setting increases the cross-infection risk and the reproliferation of viruses. − Therefore, the development of air filter materials for masks with virus-inactivation capabilities is essential.…”