Advanced Face Mask Filters Based on PCL Electrospun Meshes Dopped with Antimicrobial MgO and CuO Nanoparticles

The pandemic situation caused by coronavirus clearly demonstrated the need for alternatives able to protect the respiratory tract and inactivate the infectious agents. Based on this, antibacterial face-mask filters of polycaprolactone (PCL) dopped with magnesium oxide (MgO) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) were produced using an electrospinning technique. A morphological analysis of electrospun meshes evaluated the success of nanoparticles' incorporation as well as the average fibers' diameters (481 +/- 272 nm). The performance of electrospun nanofibers was also assessed in terms of tensile strength (0.88 +/- 0.25 MPa), water vapor permeability (11,178.66 +/- 35.78 g center dot m(-2)center dot day(-1)), stability under wet conditions and antibacterial activity according to the standard guidelines. The filters showed structural stability up to 2 h of washing and improved antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) for optimized concentrations of MgO and CuO NPs. Overall, electrospun meshes with antibacterial activity were successfully developed for advanced filtering applications.

Automated summary

This study successfully developed antibacterial face-mask filters using an electrospinning technique, with polycaprolactone dopped with magnesium oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles. The filters showed structural stability, high tensile strength and improved antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.