Multifunctional filter membrane for face mask using bacterial cellulose for highly efficient particulate matter removal

• Published in: Cellulose (London) Vol. 29; no. 11; pp. 6205 - 6218
• Main Authors: Jonsirivilai, Benjarat, Torgbo, Selorm, Sukyai, Prakit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-07-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Air pollution; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Bioorganic Chemistry; Biotechnology; Cellulose; Ceramics; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Composites; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; E coli; Efficiency; Fourier transforms; Glass; Infrared analysis; Lungs; Masks; Membranes; Microorganisms; Modulus of elasticity; Natural Materials; Nosocomial infections; Organic Chemistry; Original Research; Outdoor air quality; Pandemics; Particulate emissions; Physical Chemistry; Physiochemistry; Phytochemicals; Pollutants; Polymer Sciences; Pore size; Public health; Respiration; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Sustainable Development; COVID-19; Bacterial cellulose; Filter membrane; Fingerroot extract; Particulate matter; Face mask
• ISSN: 0969-0239; 1572-882X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10570-022-04641-3

Particulate matter (PM) pollution and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) have brought severe threats to public health. High level of PM serves as a carrier of COVID-19 which is a global pandemic. This study fabricated filter membrane for face mask using bacterial cellulose and fingerroot extract (BC–FT) via immersion technique. The surface area, pore volume and pore size of BC were analyzed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller. The physiochemical properties of the membrane were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer. The crystallinity decreased from 63.7% in pure BC to 52.4% in BC–FT filter membrane. Young’s modulus increased from 1277.02 MPa in pure BC to 2251.17 MPa in BC–FT filter membrane. The filter membrane showed excellent PM 0.1 removal efficiency of 99.83% and antimicrobial activity against
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Escherichia coli
. The fabricated membrane is excellent to prevent inhalation of PM2.5 and COVID-19 respiratory droplet.
Graphic abstract