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Researchers Develop Face Mask That Can Be Disinfected By 1 Hour of Daylight Exposure

New York: In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers have developed a unique kind of cotton face mask that kills up to 99.9999 percent of viruses and bacteria within an hour of daylight exposure.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous people have gotten used to wearing cotton face masks in public places, as indicated by the study, issued in the journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, reported,

Still, bacteria and viruses that stick to the mask could be transferred somewhere else when the wearer touches it or removes it.

The scientists from the University of California, Davis in the US said, “Face masks made of various cloth materials can filter nanoscale aerosol particles — such as those released by a cough or sneeze — potentially helping to reduce the spread of diseases, including Covid-19.”

However, viruses and live bacteria on the surface of the mask could still be very infectious.

The research group wanted to develop a new cotton fabric that would release receptive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to daylight, eliminating microbes stuck to the fabric’s surfaces while being reusable, washable, and safe for the wearer.

Later, an individual could disinfect their cloth face mask during their lunch hour outside in the sun, or by spending an extended period of time under office or building lights, which are significantly less intense than daylight.

The researchers developed their antimicrobial fabric by attaching positively charged chains of 2-diethyl aminoethyl chloride (DEAE-Cl) to standard cotton.

Later, they dyed the modified cotton in a solution of a negatively charged photosensitizer (a compound that discharges ROS upon exposure to light), which is attached to the DEAE chains by strong electrostatic associations.

The group discovered that a fabric made with a dye called rose Bengal as the photosensitizer killed 99.9999 percent of bacteria added to the fabric within an hour of daylight exposure and inactivated 99.9999 percent of T7 bacteriophage – an infection thought to be more resistant to ROS than some Coronavirus – within half an hour.

Further testing indicated that the material could be hand-washed at least 10 times and continually exposed to daylight for at least seven days without losing its antimicrobial activity.

The texture shows promise for making reusable, antiviral/antibacterial cloth face masks and protective suits, the researchers noted.

 

 

source: with input from ians