Production of technical knowledge of fabric layer containing copper nano-particles and investigating its virucidal and bactericidal properties for breath mask application

Abstract

The importance of using virucidal and antibacterial masks has doubled since the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to cover copper nanoparticles on the melt blown mask layer and evaluate its structure and properties. In case of industrialization of this plan and its mass production, it is possible to take steps in the direction of preventing viral diseases such as Corona virus and improving the health of all sections of the society. Materials and Methods: The middle layer of the mask (Melt Blown) was chosen as the coating substrate. After coating acrylic acid on the fabric substrate, copper nanoparticles were coated on the melt Blown fabric by chemical reduction. The products prepared at each stage were analyzed by ATFT-IR, XRD, EDS and SEM. Water contact angle, mechanical properties, breathability and biocompatibility and also, the virucidal and bactericidal properties of the coated melt blown were investigated against SARS-CoV-2 and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Results: Diagnostic evaluations confirmed the coating at each stage. The 12 mm zone of inhibition was indicative of the antibacterial property of the coated melt blown against S. aureus. The amount of Ct for both RdRp and N genes was higher for the coated melt blown than the uncoated one, which indicates the virucidal property of the cu-coated melt blown (P value < 0.05). The coated sample showed better breathability. The water contact angle evaluation showed that the coated sample was super hydrophobic with a contact angle of 128.53 degrees. However, the coated sample showed a lower tensile strength than the uncoated one. The biocompatibility of copper-coated melt blown was significantly lower than uncoated one (P value < 0.05), however, this level is in the acceptable range (cell viability ≥ 80%). Conclusions: In this study, copper nanoparticles were coated on melt lown with acrylic acid. The coated mask had favorable physical properties and better breathability than the uncoated one. The melt blown coated with copper nanoparticle showed biocompatibility, antibacterial and virucidal properties against SARS-CoV-2.