Pump-inject antimicrobial and biodegradable aerogel as mask intermediate filter layer for medical protection of air filtration

Melt-blown fabric masks have the drawbacks of the supply-demand imbalance, the risks of respirable infection, and environmental pollution. Therefore, it is urgently needed to exploit a new mask material with excellent air-filtration, antimicrobial, and degradable properties. In this study, a new sodium algi-nate (SA)/nanosilver composite mask intermediate filter layer (named as SAg air filter) is prepared by a simple and quantifiable pumping-injecting method to substitute the traditional melt-blown fabric. Subsequently, the prepared SAg air filter is softened with glycerol solution to improve the flexibility. Compared with the intermediate filter layer of the melt-blown fabric mask, the SAg air filter has more excellent performances, such as environmental friendliness, degradability, large-scale preparation, stable and long-lasting air filtration, good impermeability, as well as suitable breathability. What's more, the air filter combines physical and mechanical filtration, Coulomb adsorption of nano-silver, and antimicrobial air purification through the SAg aerogel network to ensure more comprehensive air purification and filtration. The novel SAg air filter will have a broad application prospect in the mask market, and eventually extend the new application of SA aerogel in the air filtration field.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a new mask material with excellent performance, such as environmental friendliness, degradability, and good breathability, was developed to replace traditional melt-blown fabric. The mask material combines physical and mechanical filtration, adsorption of nano-silver, and antimicrobial purification for comprehensive air purification and filtration.