Improvement of performance and function in respiratory protection equipment using nanomaterials

Abstract

Nanotechnology has become one of key areas for the current development and research. Nanotechnology focuses on matter at the nanoscale and is capable of using different approaches to produce nanomaterials, structures, devices, and systems. One of the concerns that have to be addressed is the adverse effects of exposure to pathogens and pollutants in different workplaces and environments. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is one of the personal protective equipment (PPE) utilized to reduce the risk of exposure to environmental or occupational respiratory hazards. Thus, various studies have been conducted for improving the functional properties of sorbents or filters in different kinds of RPE. Different categories of nanomaterials have been reported as effective agents for achieving this goal. The application of these nanomaterials in mask layers or respirators' cartridge could significantly increase the filtration efficiency, breathing comfort, and antibacterial/antiviral properties of the masks and respirators. The present study aimed to comprehensively review the nanomaterials used in different types of face RPE with emphasis on various properties of the utilized nanomaterials. The study also aimed to show an applied perspective for future research on this important subject.

Keywords: Filtration; Health and environmental effects; Mask; Nanofabrication; Nanoparticles; Respiratory protective equipment.

Fig. 1

Schematic presentation of the treatment of face mask filters with spraying and dipping using 75% ethanol and evaluation of reusability (a) (comparison of melt blown and nanofiber before and after treatment), air permeability (b), surface area (c), and porosity percentage (d) (Ullah et al. 2020) (Adapted with permission from ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 2020, 3, 7, 7231–7241. This article is made available via the ACS COVID-19 subset for unrestricted RESEARCH re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.)

Fig. 2

Thermal imaging and optical properties of the investigated face masks. a Total FTIR transmittance of nanoPE, fiber/nanoPE, and two commercial face masks. The shaded area is the human body radiation. b Thermal imaging of bare faces and faces covered with the sample (fiber/nanoPE) and two commercial face masks. The rectangular box that appears to be cold was from the tape which has been used to transfer the fibers onto nanoPE. (Yang et al. 2017) (Adapted with permission from Nano Lett. 2017, 17, 6, 3506–3510. Copyright 2017 American Chemical Society)

Fig. 3

Different kinds of nanomaterial from various chemical natures, shapes, and sizes for improving the protection efficiency of PPE