Virucidal N95 Respirator Face Masks via Ultrathin Surface-Grafted Quaternary Ammonium Polymer Coatings

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c04165
• Publication Date: 2022-05-25T23:51:28Z
• Authors: Mirco Sorci; Tanner D. Fink; Vaishali Sharma; Sneha Singh; Ruiwen Chen; Brigitte L. Arduini; Katharine Dovidenko; Caryn L. Heldt; Edmund F. Palermo; R. Helen Zha
• Keywords: Polypropylene; Respirator; Filtration (mathematics)

N95 respirator face masks serve as effective physical barriers against airborne virus transmission, especially in a hospital setting. However, conventional filtration materials, such nonwoven polypropylene fibers, have no inherent virucidal activity, and thus, the risk of surface contamination increases with wear time. The ability to protect infection can be likely improved by incorporating components that deactivate viruses on contact. We present facile method for covalently attaching antiviral quaternary ammonium polymers fiber surfaces fabrics are commonly used materials respirators via ultraviolet (UV)-initiated grafting biocidal agents. Here, C12-quaternized benzophenone is simultaneously polymerized grafted onto melt-blown or spunbond fabric using 254 nm UV light. This generated ultrathin polymer coatings which imparted permanent cationic charge without grossly changing morphology air resistance across filter. For polypropylene, comprises active layer masks, efficiency was negatively impacted from 72.5 51.3% uncoated coated single-ply samples, respectively. Similarly, directly applying full decreased 90.4 79.8%. effect due exposure organic solvents coating process. N95-level could achieved wearing over an mask fabricating exterior layer. Coated demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity several lipid-enveloped viruses, well Staphylococcus aureus Escherichia coli bacteria. example, 4.3-log reduction infectious MHV-A59 3.3-log SuHV-1 after contact filters were observed, although level viral deactivation varied significantly depending strain protocol assaying infectivity.