scholarly journals Antibacterial and Biodegradable Electrospun Filtering Membranes for Facemasks: An Attempt to Reduce Disposable Masks Use

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Sofia M. Costa ◽  
Luísa Pacheco ◽  
Wilson Antunes ◽  
Ricardo Vieira ◽  
Nuno Bem ◽  
...  

Due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for disposable facemasks has become a global issue. Unfortunately, the use of these products has negative effects on the environment, and therefore, the use of biodegradable materials is a powerful strategy to overcome this challenge. Aligned with this concept, in this work, biodegradable facemasks were developed using poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) polymer and cotton natural fibers. The filter layer was produced using an electrospinning technique, since electrospun membranes present remarkable characteristics for air filtration. The electrospun membranes were functionalized with different nanoparticles (NPs), including silver (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and magnesium oxide (MgO), in order to include new properties, namely antibacterial effect. The developed membranes were characterized by FESEM, EDS, ATR-FTIR, GSDR and TGA, which confirmed the successful impregnation of NPs onto PCL membranes. The antibacterial effect and filtration efficiency were assessed, with the PCL/MgO NPs membrane presenting better results, showing inhibition zone diameters of 25.3 and 13.5 mm against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively, and filtration efficiency of 99.4%. Three facemask prototypes were developed, and their filtration efficiency, air permeability and thermal comfort were evaluated. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of PCL/NPs electrospun membranes to act as an active and biodegradable filter layer in facemasks.

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 3303
Author(s):  
Jia-Horng Lin ◽  
Ying-Huei Shih ◽  
Chen-Hung Huang ◽  
Mei-Feng Lai ◽  
Shu-An Lee ◽  
...  

In recent years, air filtration has been gaining much attention, and now people are much more concerned about antibacterial filters due to the spreading of COVID-19. The electret polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabrics possess excellent filtration efficiency but a limited antibacterial effect against S. aureus and E. coli, and therefore triclosan is used in this study. Serving as an antibacterial agent, triclosan with a low molecular weight is an effective additive for the test results, indicating that the presence of triclosan strengthens the antibacterial effects of the filters. In addition, triclosan also strengthens the PP’s crystallinity, which in turn betters the filtration efficiency of the filters concurrently. Demonstrating powerful filtration and antibacterial performances, the antibacterial electret PP filters are highly qualified for filter applications.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Liu ◽  
Zijian Dai ◽  
Rong Zhou ◽  
Qinfei Ke ◽  
Chen Huang

Air filtration materials such as protective masks can protect humans from airborne pathogens; however, most of the existing protective filtration materials are aimed to intercept bacteria. Therefore, in this work, modified polypropylene- (PP-) based melt-blown nonwovens with antibacterial property were prepared for reducing the infection rate during the filtering process. Firstly, an N-halamine precursor, 2,4-diamino-6-diallylamino-1,3,5-triazine (NDAM) monomer, was grafted with PP polymers (PP-g-NDAM) by reactive extrusion method, and the grafting effect was confirmed by nitrogen analysis and FTIR spectra. Then, the obtained PP-g-NDAM was mixed with pristine PP resins in different ratios to prepare the filter materials by melt-blown technology. Finally, the new PP-g-NDAM melt-blown filter materials were finishing treated by the chlorination and electrostatic process, which showed a high filtration efficiency with low pressure drop and a potent antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli (E. coli). This work provides an innovative method for manufacturing antibacterial filtration nonwovens, which can improve the quality of conventional filtration products.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 486
Author(s):  
Abdelrahman I. Rezk ◽  
Jeesoo Park ◽  
Joon Yeon Moon ◽  
Sunny Lee ◽  
Chan Hee Park ◽  
...  

Here, we developed a novel biliary stent coating material that is composed of tri-layer membrane with dual function of sustained release of paclitaxel (PTX) anticancer drug and antibacterial effect. The advantages of using electrospinning technique were considered for the even distribution of PTX and controlled release profile from the nanofiber mat. Furthermore, film cast method was utilized to fabricate AgNPs-immobilized PU film to direct the release towards the tumor site and suppress the biofilm formation. The in vitro antibacterial test conducted against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria species showed excellent antibacterial effect. The in vitro drug release study confirmed the sustained release of PTX from the tri-layer membrane and the release profile fitted first order with correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.98. Furthermore, the release mechanism was studied using Korsmeyer–Peppas model, revealing that the release mechanism follows Fickian diffusion. Based on the results, this novel tri-layer membrane shows curative potential in clinical development.


2021 ◽  
pp. 152808372110505
Author(s):  
Nesrine Bhouri ◽  
Faten Debbabi ◽  
Abderrahmen Merghni ◽  
Esther Rohleder ◽  
Boris Mahltig ◽  
...  

The main purpose of this paper is to develop a new manufacturing process leading to have antibacterial dyed non-absorbable braided polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sutures using biocompatible and non-toxic products. This manufacturing process allows better visibility of sutures in the surgical field and reduces the risk of infections and inflammatory reactions without affecting the mechanical properties while meeting the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) requirements. Plasma functionalization, acrylic acid (AA) grafting, and bioactive chitosan (CH) coating were used before the dyeing process with a biocompatible non-toxic acid dye, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The influence of experimental parameters on the suture properties and the K/S values of the dyed sutures are investigated. Infrared spectroscopy confirms the presence of new bonds to immobilize chitosan on the surface of the suture. Mechanical tests confirm that the mechanical properties of sutures have not been affected. The in vitro antibacterial effect of dyed PET sutures showed an inhibition zone of 11 mm against S. aureus, 4 mm against P. aeruginosa, and 1 mm against E. coli. This study reveals that the new finishing process of sutures is a promising method to achieve an antibacterial effect with a uniform shade and smooth surfaces.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 155892501400900 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Sakthivel ◽  
Anban J.J. Ezhil ◽  
T. Ramachandran

This paper reports an investigative study on the fabrication and measurement of the air permeability, mechanical properties, pore size distribution, and filtration efficiency of different nonwoven fabrics produced from reclaimed fibers by analytically changing the machine variables to manipulate the physical parameters of the nonwoven fabrics. Reclaimed fiber of cotton (60%) and polyester (40%) blend was used, so that the prospect of value addition to an inexpensive source of raw material could be explored. The changes in air permeability were interpreted in terms of fabric density profile and pore size distribution. The filtration parameters of filtration efficiency, dust holding capacity, and pressure drop were also calculated. Additionally, the effects of calendering on pore size and filtration properties were evaluated to discover the opportunity of fine-tuning and the performance of the filters. The outcome in this study reflected an overall development in all filtration characteristics due to the calendering operation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mataram ◽  
A. F. Ismail ◽  
E. Yuliwati ◽  
T. Matsuura ◽  
S. Rizal ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of nanofiber microfiltration membranes, spun by an innovative electrospinning technique, in water filtration applications. This study bridges between developments in electrospinning techniques for the production of flat sheet membranes and the application of these membranes in water filtration. The functionalized or non-functionalized for the removal of pathogens was investigated, in term of chemical oxygen demand, total suspend solid and ammonium in the waste water. Physical properties such as clean water permeability (CWP) and strength were also examined. The results showed a very good removal of TSS (range 94.83-97.34%), COD (89.32-95.27%) and NH3­-N (64.48-72.87%). These test showed that the electrospun membranes can be used for water filtration applications. 


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Li ◽  
Xiao-Xiong Wang ◽  
Tian-Tian Yue ◽  
Yuan Xu ◽  
Ming-Liang Zhao ◽  
...  

This study shows the feasibility of using electrospinning technique to prepare polytetrafluoroethylene/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PTFE/PVA) nanofibers on PTFE microfiber membrane as substrate. Then, PVA in the fiber membrane was removed by thermal treatment at about 350 °C. Compared to PTFE microfiber substrates, the composite PTFE fiber membranes (CPFMs) have improved filtration efficiency by 70% and water contact angle by 23°. Experimental test data showed that the water contact angle of the sample increased from about 107° to 130°, the filtration efficiency of PM2.5 increased from 44.778% to 98.905%, and the filtration efficiency of PM7.25 increased from 66.655% to 100% due to the electrospun PTFE nanofiber layer. This work demonstrates the potential of CPFMs as a filter for the production of indoor or outdoor dust removal and industrially relevant gas filtration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 155892502094645
Author(s):  
Mayza Ibrahim ◽  
Michal Krejčík ◽  
Karel Havlíček ◽  
Stanislav Petrík ◽  
Mohamed Eldessouki

There is a growing public interest in utilizing biomass and biomaterials to obtain products with high sustainability and less harm to the environment. This study reports on using electrospinning technique to produce nanofiber membranes based on homogeneous polymeric blends of gum Arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, and silver nanoparticles. The produced interconnected membranes were cross-linked via heat and plasma treatments, and the membranes were characterized for their chemical and physical characteristics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows a cross-linking of gum Arabic and polyvinyl alcohol through esterification during the heat treatment, and through graft polymerization with methyl groups after methane plasma treatment. The mechanical performance of the membranes showed an increase in the modulus of elasticity in the longitudinal direction (parallel to electrospun nanofibers) from 85 ± 4 MPa to 148 ± 5 MPa compared with the transverse direction. Also, well-dispersed nanoparticles in the spinning solution tend to increase the elasticity from 41 ± 3 MPa to 148 ± 5 MPa, while the agglomeration of these nanoparticles decreases the mechanical properties of the nanofibers. Results of the biodegradation tests confirmed the significant biodegradable nature of the produced nanofibers, where 99.09% of the material was degraded within 28 days. Moreover, samples showed significant bactericidal activity against Micrococcus luteus with significantly less-observed bacteria in the measured plate, while the inhibition zone for Escherichia coli was 1 cm. The produced biodegradable electrospun membranes have multiple potential applications in many fields; especially for medical, antibacterial, and food packaging. This work reports the results for moisture and oxygen transfer of the membranes as a proposed application in food wrapping.


2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie N. Tomintz ◽  
Graham P. Clarke ◽  
Janette E. Rigby

AbstractSmoking is one of the major causes of premature death and its negative effects on a person's health are a global issue. Therefore, the United Kingdom has introduced new policies aimed at reducing the proportion of smokers from 26% in 2005 down to 21% by 2010. One mechanism to meet this policy target is the provision of stop smoking services. This article aims to estimate the Leeds smoking population at the small area level and especially to highlight the distribution of hard-to-reach groups such as heavy smokers (> 20 cigarettes/day) and pregnant women who smoke. Then optimal location strategies are discussed in relation to stop smoking services. The findings show the importance of adding a spatial component to find out where the smoking population or specific subgroups of smokers are to support policymakers or healthcare planners who are responsible for the planning process of the services.


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