Hybrid Nanofibrous Membranes as a Promising Functional Layer for Personal Protection Equipment: Manufacturing and Antiviral/Antibacterial Assessments.

Latifah Abdullah Alshabanah,Hoda Ahmed,Mohamed Hagar,Nader Shehata,Salwa M Abdallah,Ghada M Abozaid,Ahmed H Hassanin,Laila A Al-Mutabagani

doi:10.3390/polym13111776

Abstract

In this research work, nanofibrous hybrids are manufactured, characterized, and assessed as active antiviral and antibacterial membranes. In more detail, both polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibrous (NF) membranes and their composites with embedded silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are manufactured by an electrospinning process. Their morphological structures have been investigated by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) which revealed a homogenous distribution and almost beads-free fibers in all manufactured samples. Characterization with spectroscopic tools has been performed and proved the successful manufacturing of Ag-incorporated PVA and TPU hybrid nanofibers. The crystalline phase of the nanofibers has been determined using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) whose patterns showed their crystalline nature at an angle value (2θ) of less than 20°. Subsequent screening of both antiviral and antibacterial potential activities of developed nanohybrid membranes has been explored against different viruses, including SARS-Cov-2 and some bacterial strains. As a novel approach, the current work highlights potential effects of several polymeric hybrids on antiviral and antibacterial activities particularly against SARS-Cov-2. Moreover, two types of polymers have been tested and compared; PVA of excellent biodegradable and hydrophilic properties, and TPU of excellent mechanical, super elasticity, hydrophobicity, and durability properties. Such extreme polymers can serve a wide range of applications such as PPE, filtration, wound healing, etc. Consequently, assessment of their antiviral/antibacterial activities, as host matrices for Ag NPs, is needed for different medical applications. Our results showed that TPU-Ag was more effective than PVA-Ag as HIV-1 antiviral nanohybrid as well as in deactivating spike proteins of SARS-Cov-2. Both TPU-Ag and PVA-Ag nanofibrous membranes were found to have superior antimicrobial performance by increasing Ag concentration from 2 to 4 wt.%. Additionally, the developed membranes showed acceptable physical and mechanical properties along with both antiviral and antibacterial activities, which can enable them to be used as a promising functional layer in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as (surgical gowns, gloves, overshoes, hair caps, etc.). Therefore, the developed functional membranes can support the decrease of both coronavirus spread and bacterial contamination, particularly among healthcare professionals within their workplace settings.

Highlights

The properties of materials at the nanoscale size significantly differ of those on a macroscopic scale, which becomes the origin of nanoscience development at the crossroads of physics, chemistry, and biology [1,2]
Both polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-Ag and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-Ag hybrid nanofibers morphology were examined by a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM)
The optimized spinning conditions and silver blending were implemented and homogenous distribution and beads-free nanofibers in all samples were achieved. Screening of both antiviral and antibacterial activities of PVA-Ag and TPU-Ag against different viruses including COVID 19 and some bacterial strains revealed that, TPU is more active than PVA in all Ag loadings as SARS-Cov-2 antiviral

Summary

Introduction

The properties of materials at the nanoscale size significantly differ of those on a macroscopic scale, which becomes the origin of nanoscience development at the crossroads of physics, chemistry, and biology [1,2]. Among the promising methods of preparing nanostructures, electrospinning is a technique used for the production of nanofibers which depends on electrostatic spinning methodology [3,4] This process allows for the production of fibrous nonwoven or filaments of variable diameters and, controlled physical properties [5,6]. There are several methods of the electrospinning for generating new functional hybrids like, single-fluid process [11], coaxial [12], tri-axial, modified triaxial, side-by-side [13], multiple-fluid [14], and solid needle and needleless processes. These methods are mainly describing how to guide the polymer solutions into the electrical fields in elaborate manners for creating polymer-based nanohybrids. Nano-suspensions of filament-forming polymers containing inorganic nanoparticles can extend the capability of electrospinning in generating new functional hybrids

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