Antivirus and antibacterial filters for face masks based on silver quantum dots

Background/Aim. Available face masks, used to protect the respiratory system from various types of pathogens, show unsatisfactory efficiency because the size of viruses like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is much smaller than the void spaces in these masks. Difficult br...

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Main Authors: Jokanović Vukoman, Zdravković Nemanja, Petrović Božana, Živković Marija, Biočanin Vladimir, Aleksić Ema, Milutinović Jovana, Petrović Tamaš
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade 2024-01-01
Series:Vojnosanitetski Pregled
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Online Access:https://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2024/0042-84502400025J.pdf
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author Jokanović Vukoman
Zdravković Nemanja
Petrović Božana
Živković Marija
Biočanin Vladimir
Aleksić Ema
Milutinović Jovana
Petrović Tamaš
author_facet Jokanović Vukoman
Zdravković Nemanja
Petrović Božana
Živković Marija
Biočanin Vladimir
Aleksić Ema
Milutinović Jovana
Petrović Tamaš
author_sort Jokanović Vukoman
collection DOAJ
description Background/Aim. Available face masks, used to protect the respiratory system from various types of pathogens, show unsatisfactory efficiency because the size of viruses like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is much smaller than the void spaces in these masks. Difficult breathing through some masks quickly tires out, which makes ordinary people avoid wearing them. These facts suggest that a new strategy is desirable for designing protective face masks. The aim of the study was to present new filters for face masks to protect people exposed to high concentrations of bacteria and viruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2. Methods. Filters for these masks were manufactured of dense cotton fabric impregnated with silver quantum dots. The filters were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and ion-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Wettability properties were determined by measuring contact angles with water, and a color fastness test was performed. Antibacterial assay was performed using Staphylococcus (S.) aureus. Viability quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for virus integrity assay and reverse transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR) assay were used for antiviral activity assessment. Results. In vitro assays showed extremely high efficiency of these filters in destroying S. aureus and SARS-CoV-2 virus. The filters also showed high safety and easy breathing possibilities. Conclusion. The high efficiency of these masks against SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated through numerous tests, and they have been approved as anti-SARS-CoV-2 masks for the first time in the world. In the meantime, this solution has been applied in practice, and the data obtained about that are very encouraging.
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publishDate 2024-01-01
publisher Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade
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spelling doaj-art-ad2a4b08293c4d4fbb1e0317be2821f72025-08-20T03:04:31ZengMinistry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, BelgradeVojnosanitetski Pregled0042-84502406-07202024-01-0181530030910.2298/VSP230922025J0042-84502400025JAntivirus and antibacterial filters for face masks based on silver quantum dotsJokanović Vukoman0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2976-8238Zdravković Nemanja1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3925-4409Petrović Božana2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7609-1338Živković Marija3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7065-7345Biočanin Vladimir4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1607-4069Aleksić Ema5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7007-0176Milutinović Jovana6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5281-4212Petrović Tamaš7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9164-3356University of Belgrade, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, Belgrade, Serbia + ALBOS doo, Belgrade, SerbiaScientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia, Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Clinic of Orthodontics, Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity Business Academy in Novi Sad, Faculty of Stomatology in Pančevo, Pančevo, SerbiaUniversity Business Academy in Novi Sad, Faculty of Stomatology in Pančevo, Pančevo, SerbiaUniversity Business Academy in Novi Sad, Faculty of Stomatology in Pančevo, Pančevo, SerbiaScientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, Novi Sad, SerbiaBackground/Aim. Available face masks, used to protect the respiratory system from various types of pathogens, show unsatisfactory efficiency because the size of viruses like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is much smaller than the void spaces in these masks. Difficult breathing through some masks quickly tires out, which makes ordinary people avoid wearing them. These facts suggest that a new strategy is desirable for designing protective face masks. The aim of the study was to present new filters for face masks to protect people exposed to high concentrations of bacteria and viruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2. Methods. Filters for these masks were manufactured of dense cotton fabric impregnated with silver quantum dots. The filters were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and ion-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Wettability properties were determined by measuring contact angles with water, and a color fastness test was performed. Antibacterial assay was performed using Staphylococcus (S.) aureus. Viability quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for virus integrity assay and reverse transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR) assay were used for antiviral activity assessment. Results. In vitro assays showed extremely high efficiency of these filters in destroying S. aureus and SARS-CoV-2 virus. The filters also showed high safety and easy breathing possibilities. Conclusion. The high efficiency of these masks against SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated through numerous tests, and they have been approved as anti-SARS-CoV-2 masks for the first time in the world. In the meantime, this solution has been applied in practice, and the data obtained about that are very encouraging.https://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2024/0042-84502400025J.pdfair filtersmaskspolymerase chain reactionsars-cov-2silverstaphylococcus aureus
spellingShingle Jokanović Vukoman
Zdravković Nemanja
Petrović Božana
Živković Marija
Biočanin Vladimir
Aleksić Ema
Milutinović Jovana
Petrović Tamaš
Antivirus and antibacterial filters for face masks based on silver quantum dots
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
air filters
masks
polymerase chain reaction
sars-cov-2
silver
staphylococcus aureus
title Antivirus and antibacterial filters for face masks based on silver quantum dots
title_full Antivirus and antibacterial filters for face masks based on silver quantum dots
title_fullStr Antivirus and antibacterial filters for face masks based on silver quantum dots
title_full_unstemmed Antivirus and antibacterial filters for face masks based on silver quantum dots
title_short Antivirus and antibacterial filters for face masks based on silver quantum dots
title_sort antivirus and antibacterial filters for face masks based on silver quantum dots
topic air filters
masks
polymerase chain reaction
sars-cov-2
silver
staphylococcus aureus
url https://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2024/0042-84502400025J.pdf
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