Dataset Information

Biodegradable, Efficient, and Breathable Multi-Use Face Mask Filter.

ABSTRACT: The demand for face masks is increasing exponentially due to the coronavirus pandemic and issues associated with airborne particulate matter (PM). However, both conventional electrostatic- and nanosieve-based mask filters are single-use and are not degradable or recyclable, which creates serious waste problems. In addition, the former loses function under humid conditions, while the latter operates with a significant air-pressure drop and suffers from relatively fast pore blockage. Herein, a biodegradable, moisture-resistant, highly breathable, and high-performance fibrous mask filter is developed. Briefly, two biodegradable microfiber and nanofiber mats are integrated into a Janus membrane filter and then coated by cationically charged chitosan nanowhiskers. This filter is as efficient as the commercial N95 filter and removes 98.3% of 2.5 µm PM. The nanofiber physically sieves fine PM and the microfiber provides a low pressure differential of 59 Pa, which is comfortable for human breathing. In contrast to the dramatic performance decline of the commercial N95 filter when exposed to moisture, this filter exhibits negligible performance loss and is therefore multi-usable because the permanent dipoles of the chitosan adsorb ultrafine PM (e.g., nitrogen and sulfur oxides). Importantly, this filter completely decomposes within 4 weeks in composting soil.

SUBMITTER: Choi S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7967051 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Biodegradable, Efficient, and Breathable Multi-Use Face Mask Filter.

Choi Sejin S Jeon Hyeonyeol H Jang Min M Kim Hyeri H Shin Giyoung G Koo Jun Mo JM Lee Minkyung M Sung Hye Kyeong HK Eom Youngho Y Yang Ho-Sung HS Jegal Jonggeon J Park Jeyoung J Oh Dongyeop X DX Hwang Sung Yeon SY

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) 20210129 6

The demand for face masks is increasing exponentially due to the coronavirus pandemic and issues associated with airborne particulate matter (PM). However, both conventional electrostatic- and nanosieve-based mask filters are single-use and are not degradable or recyclable, which creates serious waste problems. In addition, the former loses function under humid conditions, while the latter operates with a significant air-pressure drop and suffers from relatively fast pore blockage. Herein, a bio ...[more]

PMID: 33747729

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Project description:The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has led to an attention on the usage of personal protective face masks. However, the longevity and safety of the commercial face masks are limited due to the charge dissipation of the electret meltblown nonwovens, which are dominate in the face mask filters. Herein, we design a type of multi-layer structured nonwovens using meltblowing and electrospinning technologies. The complex nonwovens involving meltblown and electrospun fibers are designed to possess multilevel fiber diameters and pore sizes. The micro/nanofibers with porous and wrinkled surface morphologies can well capture particulate matters (PMs), and the multilevel pore sizes contribute to low air resistance under high filtration efficiency. Airflow field simulation was carried out to understand the pressure distribution within the nonwovens in the filtration process. Meanwhile, by adding Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) as additives, the nonwovens exhibit excellent antibacterial performance. The resultant nonwovens exhibit filtration efficiency of 99.1% for PM0.3 and low pressure drop of 105 Pa under the 10.67 cm/s inlet air velocity, and antibacterial rate of > 99.99% for Escherichia coli. These performances and functions make the designed complex nonwovens a promising filter core for face masks.Electronic supplementary materialSupplementary material (Fig. S1. The filtration efficiencies of a brand of surgical mask changes with the storage time under the condition of 100% humidity. Fig. S2. The FE-SEM images of the fibers after blocking PMs. Fig. S3. Illustration of 3D structure models of the nonwovens. Fig. S4. Diameter distribution of AgNPs. Table S1. The structure parameters and filtration performances of the PP-M fibers with and without pores and wrinkles. Table S2. Filtration performance of PP-M/PLA-M/PLA-N nonwovens and commercial face masks. Table S3. The structural parameters for the nonwovens. Table S4. The filtration efficiencies and pressure drops of the PP, PE spunbonded nonwovens, and PP-M/PLA-M/PLA-N@AgNPs nonwovens) is available in the online version of this article at 10.1007/s12274-022-4350-2.

Dataset Information

Biodegradable, Efficient, and Breathable Multi-Use Face Mask Filter.

Publications

Biodegradable, Efficient, and Breathable Multi-Use Face Mask Filter.

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