Abstract
Transparent face masks are the ultimate solution for improving communication during pandemic times while at the same time slowing the spread of pathogens. Here, we demonstrate an easily scalable process consisting of directly electrospinning polyamide nanofibers onto a mechanical stable substrate made of poly(lactic acid) by a needleless setup for the production of transparent filter material. Filtration tests against NaCl and fructose aerosols and pressure drop tests were performed and compared with the European standard for medical face masks (EN 14683:2019) and the Swiss rule for community masks (SNR 30000:2021). The filter showed outstanding transparency (∼70% transmittance in the visible-light range), 89% filtration efficiency against PM1.0, and a pressure drop of 6.5 Pa/cm2.
Highlights
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of wearing face masks became clear on a global level; especially in closed environments, where physical distancing rules cannot be followed and ventilation is on a lower level, masks are very effective
We focused on the development of a freestanding filter based on a Polyamide-11 (PA11) nanofiber supported by poly(lactic acid) (PLA) mesh (PLA-PA11) as a possible substrate for the production of transparent face masks
The particle filtration efficiency (FE) is determined after a steady-state concentration of the particles is achieved
Summary
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of wearing face masks became clear on a global level; especially in closed environments (transportation means, schools, offices, etc.), where physical distancing rules cannot be followed and ventilation is on a lower level, masks are very effective. Cheng et al produced Nylon[6,6] electrospun fibers on a copper mesh with excellent FE performances against 0.3−5.0 μm particles and transparency.[16] Some approaches are not upscalable because of the use of a syringe setup[3−6,8,10−16] and not feasible for industrial-scale production of face masks. Scheme of the Production Steps of the Transparent Filter Materiala aThe commercial PLA mesh (A) was hot-pressed and dip-coated with a TWEEN 80 solution to obtain a flat and less electrostatic substrate (B) to directly electrospin PA11 nanofibers (C). We focused on the development of a freestanding filter based on a Polyamide-11 (PA11) nanofiber supported by PLA mesh (PLA-PA11) as a possible substrate for the production of transparent face masks (all of the production steps of the PLA−PA11 filter material are depicted in Scheme 1).
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