scholarly journals Application of green synthesised Copper iodide particles on cotton fabric- Protective face mask material against COVID-19 pandemic

Author(s):  
K.M. Archana ◽  
Revathy Rajagopal ◽  
Veena Gayathri Krishnaswamy ◽  
S. Aishwarya
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aniruddha Adhikari ◽  
Uttam Pal ◽  
Sayan Bayan ◽  
Susmita Mondal ◽  
Ria Ghosh ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns the use of one-way valves or vents in free masks for potential threat of spreading COVID-19 through expelled respiratory droplets. Here, we have developed a nanoceutical cotton fabric duly sensitized with non-toxic zinc oxide nanomaterial for potential use as membrane filter in the one way valve for the ease of breathing without the threat of COVID-19 spreading. A detailed computational study revealed that zinc oxide nanoflowers (ZnO NF) with almost two-dimensional petals trap SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, responsible to attach to ACE-2 receptors in human lung epithelial cells. The study also confirm significant denaturation of the spike proteins on the ZnO surface, revealing removal of virus upon efficient trapping. Following the computational study, we have synthesized ZnO NF on cotton matrix using hydrothermal assisted strategy. Electron microscopic, steady-state and picosecond resolved spectroscopic studies confirm attachment of ZnO NF to the cotton (i.e., cellulose) matrix at atomic level to develop the nanoceutical fabric. A detailed antimicrobial assay using Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria (model SARS-CoV-2 mimic) reveals excellent anti-microbial efficiency of the developed nanoceutical fabric. To our understanding the novel nanoceutical fabric used in one-way valve of a face mask would be the choice to assure breathing comfort along with source control of COVID-19 infection. The developed nanosensitized cloth can also be used as antibacterial/anti CoV-2 washable dress material in general.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACTA novel nanoceutical cotton fabric duly sensitized with non-toxic zinc oxide nanoflower can potentially be used as membrane filter in the one way valve of face mask to assure breathing comfort along with source control of COVID-19 infection. The nanoceutical fabric denatures the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and makes the microorganism ineffective.


Author(s):  
Manish Joshi ◽  
Arshad Khan ◽  
B. K. Sapra

Abstract Recent crisis in the form of COVID-19 has rendered wearing a face mask mandatory for patients, health care workers and even members of public worldwide. This has caused a sudden shift of focus on availability, effectiveness, re-use and development of face masks. It is imperative that commercialization of face masks is subjected to certification, following standard procedures, from authorized agencies. However, at times, there is a need to conduct a quick investigation on their performance, specially, when new materials are being used for making the masks. In the current pandemic situation, the shortage of masks has also led to a rethinking on strategies of reuse of masks after due sterilization. For such situations, a quick laboratory methodology to test/determine the effectiveness of face mask respirators has been developed. The testing parameters include the particle capture efficiency of the mask material, pressure drop and the fit factor. Two different, simple, make-shift set-ups have been adopted for the present context. The first is used to measure the intrinsic particle capture efficiency and pressure drop of the filter material and the second is employed as a ‘full mask sampler’ to assess the leakages through seams and joints. For particle filtration efficiency, measurements in optical particle diameter range (0.3-20 µm) are most important as they cover the most penetrating particle size (MPPS) range; nevertheless, we also measured aerosol number concentration in sub-micrometer and ultrafine size ranges. Experiments conducted with atomized NaCl test aerosols, using these setups on three types of face masks viz. commercial N-95, surgical mask and cloth mask have been used for the validation and interpretation of results. This paper hopes to provide a crucial laboratory link between the face mask developers and the final certification agencies in the times of urgency.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. van Straten ◽  
P.D. Robertson ◽  
H. Oussoren ◽  
S. Pereira Espindola ◽  
E. Ghanbari ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjectiveFace masks also referred to as half masks are essential to protect healthcare professionals, working in close contact with patients having Covid-19 related symptoms. During the threating deficit, healthcare institutions sought an approach to re-use face masks or to acquire imported masks. The objective of this study is to assess the quality of sterilised and imported FFP2/KN95 face mask materials.Designprospective, bench-to-bedsideSettingGeneral healthcare including 19 hospitals in the NetherlandsInterventionsFace masks were reprocessed using a medical autoclave at 121°C.MethodsA 48 minutes steam sterilization process of single-use face masks with 15 min holding time at a 121 °C was developed, validated and implemented in 19 different hospitals. Steam and H2O2 plasma sterilized as well as new, imported masks are tested in a custom-made, non-standard EN-149, test set-up that measures Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) and pressure drops.ResultsPFE validation data of 84 masks indicated differences of 2.3±2 % (mean±SD) between the custom build test set-up and a continues flow according to the EN-149. Test data showed the mean PFE values of 444 sterilised FFP2 face masks from 19 CSSD were 90±11% (mean±SD) and of 474 imported KN95/FFP2 face masks 83±16% (mean±SD). Differences in PFE between sterilisation departments were found.ConclusionFace masks can be reprocessed with 121 0 C steam or H2O2 plasma sterilization with minimum reduction of PFE. PFE comparison between sterilised mask and new, imported mask filter material indicates that most reprocessed masks of high quality brands outperform new imported face masks of unknown brands. Although the PFE of tested face mask material from different sterilisation departments remained efficient, different types of sterilisation equipment can result in different PFE outcomes.Strengths and limitations of this study–Reprocessing face masks at 121 °C steam Sterilization, a simple method to be used by hospitals in times of shortages–Laboratory findings to evaluate the safety and quality of face mask material–The study is limited and restricted to selected FFP-2 face masks–This study is a first of its kind in quality and safety check of the vast growing face masks, entering our markets–The study focusses on testing environmental dry particles in a rapid test setup


Fibers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Cláudia M. Botelho ◽  
Margarida M. Fernandes ◽  
Jefferson M. Souza ◽  
Nicolina Dias ◽  
Ana M. Sousa ◽  
...  

Fabric structures are prone to contamination with microorganisms, as their morphology and ability to retain moisture creates a proper environment for their growth. In this work, a novel, easily processed and cheap coating for a nylon fabric with antimicrobial characteristics was developed. After plasma treatment, made to render the fabric surface more reactive sites, the fabric was impregnated with chitosan and silver nanoparticles by simply dipping it into a mixture of different concentrations of both components. Silver nanoparticles were previously synthesized using the Lee–Meisel method, and their successful obtention was proven by UV–Vis, showing the presence of the surface plasmon resonance band at 410 nm. Nanoparticles with 25 nm average diameter observed by STEM were stable, mainly in the presence of chitosan, which acted as a surfactant for silver nanoparticles, avoiding their aggregation. The impregnated fabric possessed bactericidal activity higher for Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus than for Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria for all combinations. The percentage of live S. aureus and P. aeruginosa CFU was reduced to less than 20% and 60%, respectively, when exposed to each of the coating combinations. The effect was more pronounced when both chitosan and silver were present in the coating, suggesting an effective synergy between these components. After a washing process, the antimicrobial effect was highly reduced, suggesting that the coating is unstable after washing, being almost completely removed from the fabric. Nevertheless, the new-coated fabric can be successfully used in single-use face masks. To our knowledge, the coating of nylon fabrics intended for face-mask material with both agents has never been reported.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1367
Author(s):  
Sunghoon Jung ◽  
Jun-Yeoung Yang ◽  
Eun-Yeon Byeon ◽  
Do-Geun Kim ◽  
Da-Gyum Lee ◽  
...  

Face masks will be used to prevent pandemic recurrence and outbreaks of mutant SARS-CoV-2 strains until mass immunity is confirmed. The polypropylene (PP) filter is a representative disposable mask material that traps virus-containing bioaerosols, preventing secondary transmission. In this study, a copper thin film (20 nm) was deposited via vacuum coating on a spunbond PP filter surrounding a KF94 face mask to provide additional protection and lower the risk of secondary transmission. Film adhesion was improved using oxygen ion beam pretreatment, resulting in cuprous oxide formation on the PP fiber without structural deformation. The copper-coated mask exhibited filtration efficiencies of 95.1 ± 1.32% and 91.6 ± 0.83% for NaCl and paraffin oil particles, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 inactivation was evaluated by transferring virus-containing media onto the copper-coated PP filters and subsequently adding Vero cells. Infection was verified using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunochemical staining. Vero cells added after contact with the copper-coated mask did not express the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and envelope genes of SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid immunofluorescence results indicated a reduction in the amount of virus of more than 75%. Therefore, copper-coated antiviral PP filters could be key materials in personal protective equipment, as well as in air-conditioning systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-193
Author(s):  
Woo-Taeg Kwon ◽  
◽  
Min-Jae Jung ◽  
Bum-Soo Kim ◽  
Woo-Sik Lee ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-68
Author(s):  
Zhen Shi ◽  
Rui Dan ◽  
Longyun Hao ◽  
Weichao Chen ◽  
Ruyi Xie ◽  
...  

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