Long-lifespan and sterilizable face masks leveraging the power of light and electricity

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Weiwei Zhang
  • Han Xia
  • Lang Ma
  • Li Qiu
  • Xiaodong Yan
  • Yongsheng Gao
  • Xifeng Yang

Related Research Unit(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number128697
Journal / PublicationSeparation and Purification Technology
Volume354
Issue numberPart 1
Online published9 Jul 2024
Publication statusOnline published - 9 Jul 2024

Abstract

The rapidly evolving virus and worsening air pollution have created a huge demand for face masks. However, most commercial masks are limited in their ability of long-time filtering air particulates and killing pathogens. We here present a highly germicidal, self-charging, and long-lifespan mask based on the synergistic effect of light (photocatalysis of CuO-ZIF-8) and electricity (piezoelectricity of PVDF-TrFE). Specifically, we synthesize CuO-ZIF-8 nanomaterials that are 99.999 % bactericidal against E. coli and S. aureus in PBS buffer under 2 h of simulated solar irradiation. Air filters made of CuO-ZIF-8 nanocubes and PVDF-TrFE nanofibers possess a low pressure drop of 90 Pa and high filtration efficiency of 99.01 % for 0.3 µm particles thanks to the piezoelectric energy conversion from breathing to electric charge accumulation. The filtration efficiency keeps up to 94.2 % for an ultralong 30 h, 6–7 times longer than surgical masks. This work sheds new light on developing public protective materials featured with photocatalytic antibacterial and piezoelectric enhanced adsorption. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

Research Area(s)

  • Antibacterial, Filter, Metal–organic framework, Photocatalysis, Piezoelectric

Citation Format(s)

Long-lifespan and sterilizable face masks leveraging the power of light and electricity. / Zhang, Weiwei; Peng, Zehua; Xia, Han et al.
In: Separation and Purification Technology, Vol. 354, No. Part 1 , 128697, 19.02.2025.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review