Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology

SRN: 22020983-Abdul Basit

ABSTRACT

Post-COVID-19, the world is at risk from airborne viral particles released by infected individuals. These aerosols range from 0.25-1 micrometers in, the use of face masks or respirators based Nanofiber PPE
represents a significant advancement, providing exceptional filtration efficiency and improved breathability. These products feature a complex network of nanofibers designed to capture and neutralize airborne
pathogens, including COVID-19. The effectiveness of these nanofibers is due to the combination of physical and electrostatic forces and their high surface area-to-volume ratio, which allows them to trap very
small viral particles. Nanofiber masks and respirators are becoming crucial in public health protection, offering strong defense against COVID-19. The use of nanotechnology in PPE marks a new chapter in
maintaining safety during challenging times, with nanofiber materials expected to bring significant benefits in the production of face masks and respirators.

• INTRODUCTION

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the world faces significant biological risks due to the viral airborne particles resulting from the person carrying the
virus,
these patients release small aerosol particles with diameters ranging between 0.25-1 micrometers, the size and shape of the particles that transmit
the virus into the air differ
when a person carrying the infection sneezes, coughs, or exhales
During a sneeze the patient’s spray contains approximately 40,000 droplets, which can reach speeds of up to 100 meters per second.
The dimensions of the virus fall within a spectrum of 80 to 150 nanometers, as depicted in the figure1[1], The concern arises from the virus’s
diminutive size,
which might enable it to penetrate through respirator filters that are designed to block particles larger than (0.3) micrometers.

Figure 1: Covid-19 [1]

• Nanofiber-based face masks and respirators
represent a paradigm shift in the field of personal protective equipment (PPE), offering unparalleled filtration efficiency coupled with enhanced breathability.
Engineered with precision, these marvels of modern engineering exhibit a labyrinthine network of nanofibers, meticulously crafted to
intercept and neutralize airborne pathogens, including the elusive COVID-19 virus
The fundamental principle underlying the efficacy of nanofiber-based filtration lies in the intricate interplay of physical and electrostatic forces.
At the nanoscale, these materials exhibit a vast surface area-to-volume ratio, amplifying their capacity to
ensnare even the minutest viral particles with unparalleled efficiency [2].
nanofiber-based face masks and respirators emerge as potent allies, offering a potent defense against the relentless onslaught of the COVID-19
the integration of cutting-edge nanotechnology into our arsenal of protective measures heralds a new era of resilience and fortitude in the face of adversity.
Employing nanofiber in the production of face masks and respirators for COVID-19 protection is expected to yield numerous advantages,

4- 6-
2- Improved Customized Sustainable
1-Enhanced Breathability 3- Enhanced Design and and Eco-
5-
Filtration Durability Functionality Friendly
Antimicrobial
Efficiency and
Properties
Longevity Figure 2: Nanofiber

Global standards adopted in the development of face masks and respirators

Face masks and respirators must adhere to certain standards and regulations that vary by country or region. There are five recognized performance criteria for
the materials used in the manufacture of medical masks, which include: fluid resistance, breathability, bacteria filtration efficiency (BFE), particle filtration
efficiency (PFE), and ignition. Per the European standard EN 14683, air-filtering respirators are categorized into three types: Type I respirators are required to
have a bacterial filtration efficiency of over 95%, Type II respirators must exceed 98% bacterial filtration efficiency, and Type IIR respirators not only need to
Manufacturing method
surpass 98% bacterial filtration efficiency but also be splash-resistant. Additionally, the standard mandates a resistance test for Type IR and Type IIR, with Type
IIR offering the highest level of resistance. [6-7]
Contemporary respirators utilize fiber filters comprising multiple strata of fine, flat fibers
capable of ensnaring particulates via physical adhesion barriers. The efficacy of filtration
Design Economic cost is governed by several parameters, including the diameter of the fibers, their tolerance,
and the thickness of the filter.
Nano fiber-based materials are often more durable and resistant to The filtration mechanism plays a crucial role in determining the precision and efficiency
degradation over time compared to conventional materials. This of the filtration media.
means that while the initial investment might be slightly higher, the Particulates are primarily sieved through five distinct mechanisms: (1) interception, (2)
longer lifespan of Nano fiber-based masks can make them more cost- inertial impaction, (3) diffusion, (4) gravitational settling, and (5) electrostatic attraction.
effective in the long run, Overall, while Nano fiber-based face masks For the execution of a profound and highly efficient filtration operation within a
and respirators may offer superior performance and durability condensed timeframe, the employment of velvet nanofiber is advocated. [9],
compared to traditional options, their economic cost may be higher Electrostatic spinning represents an innovative approach to nanofiber production, During
due to factors such as specialized manufacturing processes and the electrospinning process, a substantial electrical potential is administered to droplets
materials. However, advancements in technology, economies of scale, of molten material or polymer solution, mitigating the surface tension and facilitating the
and increased market competition could lead to reduced costs over formation of ultrafine fibers, whose diameters span from (40) to (2000) nanometers
time (figure 4).
making Nano fiber-based protective equipment more economically Selecting the optimal concentration of the solution, electrical voltage, and the gap
viable for widespread use, at present, for a unit of bio-functional between the collector device and the spinneret is vital for producing consistent
system the cost is approximately 12000$ while it is about 7000$ for nanofibers. Nanofiber-based filtration media, being integral to this technology, play a
more traditional system. pivotal role in augmenting the efficacy of filtration [10-11].
Figure 3: face mask structure [8]

• SUMMARY

The COVID-19 pandemic, one of the gravest challenges of this

century, has significantly heightened the demand for high-quality
medical air filters to bolster preventive measures and curb the
virus’s proliferation. Nanotechnology stands at the forefront of this
battle, offering sophisticated manufacturing methods to create
Nano filters that effectively sieve out viral particles. These
nanotechnology-derived filters, produced through electrospinning,
enhance filtration performance sustainably for both face masks
and respirators, despite their current manufacturing costs being
Figure 4: Electros pinning processing [11] higher than those of conventional systems.
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