Functionalized non-woven surfaces for combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The worldwide outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection has necessitated mandatory use of face masks, personal protective equipment and intake of a healthy diet for immunity boosting. As per WHO's recommendation, continuous use of masks has been proven effective in decreasing the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate. The present study reports on the bacterial filtration efficacy (BFE) of a novel 4-ply functionalized non-woven face mask. We synthesized a polypropylene-based fabric with inner layers of melt-blown fine fibres coated with polylactic acid and immune-boosting herbal phytochemicals. Experimental studies on the synthesized face mask demonstrated a BFE of greater than 99% against Staphylococcus aureus (a bacterium species frequently found in mammalian respiratory tract). A thorough computational analysis using LibDock algorithm demonstrated an effective docking performance of herbal phytochemicals against harmful virus structures. More importantly, the face mask also showed sufficient and stable breathability as per regulatory standards. A breathing resistance of 30 Pa at an aerosol flow rate of 30 l h −1 was reported under standard temperature and pressure conditions, indicating a high potential for real-world applications.

Self-Healing Nanofibers for Engineering Applications

“…Nanofibrous mats have proven crucial in capturing tiny particulates with effective efficiencies of more than 99%. The nano- and microtextured membranes have proven to be useful for separations and purification technologies. , Researchers are focusing on the current state of the art for more reliable, robust, consistent, and cost-effective nanofibers due to an unending demand for less expensive and more reliable materials . They are suitable for air filtration due to their ability to have a varied pore size during the electrospinning process .…”

“…Several electrospinning derivative models have emerged and patented in the past two decades, including needleless electrospinning, coaxial electrospinning, bubble electrospinning, melt electrospinning, near-field electrospinning, multijet electrospinning, electroblowing, etc (Figure S1–S4 in the Supporting Information). A proper selection of the electrospinning techniques, process parameter control, and material composition can lead to nanofibers of different morphologies. ,,,,− Hollow nanofibers with diameters ranging from 450 to 1000 nm were fabricated through emulsion, solution blown, and coaxial electrospinning …”

Antimicrobial and mechanical properties of functionalized textile by nanoarchitectured photoinduced Ag@polymer coating

“…The proliferation of microorganisms is a major concern for health organizations, whether it be medically speaking, in agriculture or simply in built environments. Improving the indoor air quality, while limiting the spread of bacteria, fungi, or viruses on various surfaces has become the focus of many research teams today, especially in the wake of the on-going COVID19 pandemic [ 1 – 3 ]. However, the overuse of antimicrobials since the 1950s has caused bacteria and fungi to develop strong antibiotic and antiseptic resistance [ 4 – 6 ].…”

Determining the filtration effectiveness of non-standard respiratory protective devices by an ad-hoc laboratory methodology

“…One or more overlapping layers of non-woven fabric are used to realize both medical masks and community masks. Non-woven fabric is a generic term for fabric-like material made from fibers bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat, or solvent treatment ( Avinash Patil et al, 2021 ). The typical features of non-woven fabric are water repellence, resistance to high and low temperatures, softness, and non-abrasive to the touch.…”