Electrospun Sericin/PVA/Clay nanofibrous mats for antimicrobial air filtration mask

Abstract

In this study, Sericin/Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Clay (Cloisite 30B) nanofibrous mats are prepared by electrospinning technique for antimicrobial air filtration mask. The process parameters of electro-spinning machine such as acceleration voltage, nozzle flow rate and nozzle & collector distance are optimised on the basis of morphology of fibre observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimum conditions for producing nanofibrous mat without bead are acceleration voltage 27.5 kV, nozzle collector distance 8 cm and flow rate 0.8 ml/hr using 10 % (w/v) solution of Sericin/PVA (1:1 wt/wt). The process parameters of electro-spinning machine for the processing of Sericin/PVA/Clay nanofibrous mats with varied clay concentrations ranging from 0.1-0.75 % are also optimized. The spun fibre diameter varied from 300-400 nm at different specified conditions. These nanofibrous mats are characterized for its structural, mechanical and antimicrobial properties. Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) test was conducted to check the particulate matter (PM 2.5) absorption capacity of nanofibrous mats. Results shows that sericin/PVA/clay nanofibrous mat would be a promising material for making protecting clothing based air filtration mask.