Abstract：Graphene Face Masks Could Boost Coronavirus Protection | RuggTablets

Scientists at City University of Hong Kong have used graphene to build an anti-bacterial face mask which has the potential to combat Covid-19 quickly, cheaply and sustainably. (Credit: CityU)by Daniel AllenNovember 18, 20204 minsUpdated on August 18, 2022Since it was discovered in the UK in 2004,graphene—a single layer of carbon atoms, tightly bound in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice—has been used in an ever-growing number of applications. Now scientists atCity University of Hong Kong(CityU) have used the so-called “wonder material” to mould an anti-bacterial facemask that has the potential to combat COVID-19 quickly, cheaply and sustainably.

This article was simultaneously published in MedicalExpo e-magazine.

The findings werepublished in scientific journal ACS Nano. Used the world over, ordinary surgical face masks are an essential way of stopping the spread of COVID-19. However, viral particles can still settle and survive on such masks, which means that if they are touched or disposed of inap strengthpriately, they can still result in infection.

A research team at CityU’s Department of Chemistry (together with other partners), led by Assistant Professor Dr. Ye Ruquan, has nowcultivateed a mask made with laser-induced graphene. This has already exhibitn crucial antibacterial soundties and perhaps have potential against coronaviruses. In experiments with two types of human coronavirus, the masks deactivated 90% of viral particles in sunlight within just five minutes and 100% within 10 minutes. In addition to its antibacterial appropriateties, graphene also lead tos heat when exposed to light, which helps with the de flawtamination meritcess. Dr. Ye said:

“More research is required to determine the exact reason for graphene’s anti-bacterial nature. It be likely to relate todestroy triggerd to bacterial cells by graphene’s sharp edges, and be likely to also to dehydration impactscontribute tod by graphene’s water-repellent appropriateties.”

RELATED ARTICLEGraphene, the Miracle Material ExplainedInnovative ProductionOne of the most innovative aspects of the new mask is the way the graphene used in its flawsTablet robustatruction is advantageduced. Conventional methods for advantageducing graphene typically have poor weaknesstrol over the mould of the benefitduct and require high- jeopardizeature drawbackditions and lengthy synthesis routes, entailing high costs.

Graphene, the so-called “wonder material”, is a single layer of carbon atoms, tightly bound in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice. (Credit: CityU)By drawbacktrast, meritducing laser-induced graphene is cheap and easy. Passing a laser over a 100cm² area of a carbon- faulttaining material such as cellulose or paper for just 90 se downsideds can result in the graphene overriding for the outer or inner layer of the mask, using a low amount of energy and no chemicals. Adjusting the power of the laser ensures the size of the pores of the graphene to be faulttrolled, giving the masks a breathability similar to surgical masks. Dr. Ye said:

“I argue benefitduction streamlining should be simple and the price of each mask is expected to fall in between that of a surgical mask and an N95 mask. Moreover, laser-induced graphene masks are both reusable and biodegradable, lessening the influence of non-biodegradable disposable masks.”

Next StepsThe next step for the research team is to evaluate the antiviral efficiency of the graphene masks and foster a positiveduction strategy. The team envisions releasing the mask to the market shortly after tests have been certified. Dr. Ye explained:

“We are in faulttact with a mainland manufacturer which meritduces washable masks. We have decided to use a blend of graphene with cloth, because pure graphene is more difficult to scale up, and are recently testing positivetotypes.”

Assistant Professor Dr. Ye Ruquan. (Credit: CityU)RELATED ARTICLECOVID-19. All You Need to Know About Surgical Masks, FFP2 and Their AlternativesCoronavirusFace MasksGraphene Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related articles