Biodegradable, Efficient, and Breathable Multi‐Use Face Mask Filter
Top Cited Papers
Open Access
- 29 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Advanced Science
- Vol. 8 (6), 2003155
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202003155
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.Keywords
Funding Information
- Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (SS2042‐10)
- Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (2019R1C1C1003888)
- Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (20008628)
This publication has 64 references indexed in Scilit:
- Basis weight uniformity analysis in nonwovensThe Journal of the Textile Institute, 2013
- Airflow Dynamics of Human Jets: Sneezing and Breathing - Potential Sources of Infectious AerosolsPLOS ONE, 2013
- Scanning Electron Microscopy-Based Approach to Understand the Mechanism Underlying the Adhesion of Dengue Viruses on Ceramic Hydroxyapatite ColumnsPLOS ONE, 2013
- 3D air filtration modeling for nanofiber based filters in the ultrafine particle size rangeChemical Engineering Science, 2012
- Skin effect in nanofiber filtration of submicron aerosolsSeparation and Purification Technology, 2012
- Toxicological evaluation of lactose and chitosan delivered by inhalationJournal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 2008
- Two‐decadal aerosol trends as a likely explanation of the global dimming/brightening transitionGeophysical Research Letters, 2006
- Chitin and chitosan: Properties and applicationsProgress in Polymer Science, 2006
- Filtration properties of electrospinning nanofibersJournal of Applied Polymer Science, 2006
- THE MECHANISM OF VIRUS ATTACHMENT TO HOST CELLSThe Journal of Experimental Medicine, 1951