review · Emergent Materials
Global pandemics such as COVID-19 have intensified interest in nonwoven fibrous materials for face masks to filter airborne particulate matter and aerosols. While spun-bond and melt-blown fabrics remain standard for large-scale production, newer techniques such as electrospinning and solution blow spinning are gaining traction among filter membrane manufacturers. Nanofibre face masks offer high filtration performance because their high surface area to volume ratio increases contact with particulates and improves electrostatic charge distribution. Furthermore, the small diameter of nanofibres produces a slip effect that lowers pressure drops, improving breathability for the wearer. Current developments focus on three primary filtration strategies: mechanical capture, electrostatic filtration, and antimicrobial functionality. Integrating these three mechanisms can yield multifunctional nanofibre structures that capture diverse airborne particulates with high efficiency and low airflow resistance, alongside smart materials that actively combat infectious airborne agents.
Airborne pathogens and fine particulate matter present persistent hazards to public health during respiratory disease outbreaks. Examining how nanofibres enhance filtration without sacrificing breathability provides crucial guidance for improving personal protective equipment. Effective integration of physical capture, electrostatic charge, and antimicrobial properties can deliver face masks that are both significantly more protective and comfortable to wear for extended periods.
This work applies to personal protective equipment and filter membrane manufacturing, identifying electrospinning and solution blow spinning as processes gaining industry traction. While basic nanofibre spinning is used by manufacturers, the integration of synergistic mechanical, electrostatic, and smart antimicrobial functionality represents early-stage to applied experimental research rather than near-market deployment.
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Abstract The filtration of airborne particulate matter (PM) and aerosols utilizing nonwoven fibrous materials has received significant research concern due to the continuing global pandemics, especially the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and particularly for face masks as a measure of personal protection. Although spun-bond or melt-blown nonwoven fabrics are among the pioneer materials in the development of polymer microfiber-based face masks or air filters on a large scale, relatively new nonwoven manufacturing processes like electrospinning and solution blow spinning (SBS) are gaining momentum among manufacturers of filter membranes. The high filtration performance of nanofiber face masks is due to their high surface area to volume ratio which increases the interaction between the nanofiber and PM and improves the electrostatic charge distribution of electret filters, allowing enhanced capture capability based on electrostatic deposition. Moreover, the small diameter of nanofibrous filters improves the breathability of the face mask by providing the slip effect, which in turn reduces the pressure drop through the membrane. This paper provides a comprehensive review of contemporary advances in nanofiber face masks, detailing the working mechanism involved, reviewing recent experimental studies, and discussing improvements in filtration efficiency for three main nanofibrous air filtration strategies, including mechanical and electrostatic filtration and antimicrobial functionality. Furthermore, prospective research is introduced which considers the synergistic combination effects of the three filtration mechanisms in designing a multifunctional nanofiber structure that can efficiently capture a wide range of PM with higher filtration efficiency and lower drops in pressure. New trends in the antimicrobial activity of smart material-based nanofibrous membranes in the fight against infectious airborne agents are also described.
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DOI: 10.1007/s42247-023-00622-9
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