Functional Fiber Membranes with Antibacterial Properties for Face Masks

Abstract

Reusable face masks are an important alternative for minimizing costs of disposable and surgical face masks during pandemics. Often complementary to washing, a prolonged lifetime of face masks relies on the incorporation of self-cleaning materials. The development of self-cleaning face mask materials requires the presence of a durable catalyst to deactivate contaminants and microbes after long-term use without reducing filtration efficiency. Herein, we generate self-cleaning fibers by functionalizing silicone-based (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) fibrous membranes with a photocatalyst. Coaxial electrospinning is performed to fabricate fibers with a non-crosslinked silicone core within a supporting shell scaffold, followed by thermal crosslinking and removal of the water-soluble shell. Photocatalytic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are immobilized on the PDMS fibers by colloid-electrospinning or post-functionalization procedures. The fibers functionalized with ZnO NPs can degrade a photo-sensitive dye and display antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) due to the generation of reactive oxygen species upon irradiation with UV light. Furthermore, a single layer of functionalized fibrous membrane shows an air permeability in the range of 80–180 L/m2s and 65% filtration efficiency against fine particulate matter with a diameter less than 1.0 µm (PM1.0). Graphical abstract

Advanced antibacterial materials for the prevention of nosocomial infections

“…The gallium particles on the fabric coatings provided nucleation sites for Cu 2 + to form particles at room temperature and helped to improve the adhesion of the particles to the fabrics, remaining effective over multiple applications. Natsathaporn et al 126 immobilized photocatalytic zinc oxide nanoparticles on PDMS fibers to prepare reusable face mask, which have self-cleaning and antibacterial properties (Fig. 3C).…”

Comparison of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Integration into Non-Woven Fabrics Using Different Functionalisation Methods for Prospective Application as Active Facemasks

“…Recent findings indicate that in situ ZnO NPs synthesis is an innovative approach for the fabrication of effective antiviral facemasks, capable of neutralizing the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby upgrading the facemasks from simple physical barriers to active catalytic materials [23,24]. NPs deposition in plasma-treated nanofibrous membranes, or NPs co-extrusion with the polymeric phase has also been found [25,26], envisioning its use in facemasks via strategies like fortification of the nanoscaled mat with a multilayer structure [16]. In the aftermath of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread adoption of such active facemasks could have significantly enhanced overall healthcare practices.…”

Electrospun Polymeric Fibers Decorated with Silk Microcapsules via Encapsulation and Surface Immobilization for Drug Delivery

“…Electrospun micro/nano‐scale fibers enable the generation of porous polymer 3D matrices, which are used as sensors, [ 1 ] protective clothing, [ 2,3 ] scaffolds for tissue engineering, wound dressings and extracellular matrix models for biological studies. [ 4 ] Electrospun fibers are also particular interest for use in the encapsulation and/or surface immobilization of drugs or other functional molecules due to the large surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio that the unique geometry provides enhanced material properties to render them useful in numerous potential applications.…”