Double Layer Antiviral (self-disinfecting) Cloth Masks
Double Layer Antiviral (self-disinfecting) Cloth Masks
Bengaluru: Keeping in mind that the Indian market is selling expensive masks that neither exhibit antiviral nor antibacterial properties, a team of Indian scientists in collaboration with an industry partner have developed a self-disinfecting ‘Copper-based Nanoparticle-coated Antiviral Face Mask to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mask exhibits high performance against the COVID 19 virus as well as several other viral and bacterial infections. It is biodegradable, highly breathable and washable.
The low-cost self-disinfecting ‘Copper-based Nanoparticle-coated Antiviral Face Mask’ has been developed by scientists at International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) and Resil Chemicals, a Bengaluru based company under the DST sponsored Nano-Mission project, to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resil Chemicals has now already started producing such double layer masks on large scale.
It may be mentioned that the present-day face masks only retain the viruses by filtering and do not kill them and hence, are prone to transmission if the masks are not properly worn or disposed.
ARCI developed copper-based nanoparticles of around 20 nanometres by a Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) processing facility. FSP process involves conversion of solution precursors into nanopowders by high temperature pyrolytic decomposition. Stable nanoparticle suspension were obtained by optimizing the solid loading and pH. A uniform layer of this nano-coating on the cotton fabric with good adhesion was achieved using a suitable binder. The coated fabric exhibited an efficacy of more than 99.9% against bacteria. CSIR-CCMB tested the efficacy of this fabric against SARS-CoV-2 for their disinfection properties and reported 99.9% disinfection, as evident from the standard results. Prototype masks having different designs such as single layer and triple layers with nanoparticle coated fabric as outer layer have been demonstrated. A single layer mask is especially useful as a protective antiviral outer mask over a regular mask.
– global bihari bureau
