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Boi C, Borsetti F, Brugo T, Cappelletti M, De Angelis M, Fedi S, Di Giacomo S, Fabiani T, Foli G, Garelli A, Genchi U, Ghezzi D, Gualandi C, Lalli E, Magnani M, Maurizzi A, Mazzi F, Mehrabi N, Minelli M, Montalbano R, Morelli L, Nici S, Onesti R, Paglianti A, Papchenko K, Pappalardo S, Parisi N, Rapino S, Reggio M, Roselli M, Ruggeri E, Sabatini L, Saracino E, Scarponi G, Serra L, Signorini V, Storione A, Torsello M, Tugnoli E, Vargiu C, Vidali G, Violante F. One year of surgical mask testing at the University of Bologna labs: Lessons learned from data analysis. Sep Purif Technol 2022; 294:121180. [PMID: 35573908 PMCID: PMC9075986 DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.121180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic highlighted the worldwide lack of surgical masks and personal protective equipment, which represent the main defense available against respiratory diseases as COVID-19. At the time, masks shortage was dramatic in Italy, the first European country seriously hit by the pandemic: aiming to address the emergency and to support the Italian industrial reconversion to the production of surgical masks, a multidisciplinary team of the University of Bologna organized a laboratory to test surgical masks according to European regulations. The group, driven by the expertise of chemical engineers, microbiologists, and occupational physicians, set-up the test lines to perform all the functional tests required. The laboratory started its activity on late March 2020, and as of the end of December of the same year 435 surgical mask prototypes were tested, with only 42 masks compliant to the European standard. From the analysis of the materials used, as well as of the production methods, it was found that a compliant surgical mask is most likely composed of three layers, a central meltblown filtration layer and two external spunbond comfort layers. An increase in the material thickness (grammage), or in the number of layers, does not improve the filtration efficiency, but leads to poor breathability, indicating that filtration depends not only on pure size exclusion, but other mechanisms are taking place (driven by electrostatic charge). The study critically reviewed the European standard procedures, identifying the weak aspects; among the others, the control of aerosol droplet size during the bacterial filtration test results to be crucial, since it can change the classification of a mask when its performance lies near to the limiting values of 95 or 98%.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Boi
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Health Sciences and Technologies (CIRI-SDV), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy,Corresponding authors at: Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy (C.Boi). School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, Robert Stevenson Road, EH9 3FB, UK (M.G. De Angelis)
| | - F. Borsetti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - T.M. Brugo
- Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), Alma Mater Studiorum -University of Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Cappelletti
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Health Sciences and Technologies (CIRI-SDV), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - M.G. De Angelis
- School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, Robert Stevenson Road, EH9 3FB, UK,Corresponding authors at: Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy (C.Boi). School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, Robert Stevenson Road, EH9 3FB, UK (M.G. De Angelis)
| | - S. Fedi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - S. Di Giacomo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - T. Fabiani
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - G. Foli
- General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy,Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (ISOF) – National Research Council (CNR), Bologna, Italy
| | - A. Garelli
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - U. Genchi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - D. Ghezzi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,Laboratory of NanoBiotechnology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - C. Gualandi
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - E. Lalli
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Magnani
- General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - A. Maurizzi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - F. Mazzi
- General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - N. Mehrabi
- Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Minelli
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - R. Montalbano
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - L. Morelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - S. Nici
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - R. Onesti
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - A. Paglianti
- Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari” (CHIMIND), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - K. Papchenko
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - S. Pappalardo
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - N.F. Parisi
- Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - S. Rapino
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Reggio
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Roselli
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - E. Ruggeri
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - L. Sabatini
- Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - E. Saracino
- General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy,Institute of Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (ISOF) – National Research Council (CNR), Bologna, Italy
| | - G.E. Scarponi
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - L. Serra
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - V. Signorini
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - A. Storione
- Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Torsello
- General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy,Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - E. Tugnoli
- Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
| | - C.M. Vargiu
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - G. Vidali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBit), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,General Hospital Sant’Orsola Foundation, Bologna, Italy
| | - F.S. Violante
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Health Sciences and Technologies (CIRI-SDV), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy,Division of Occupational Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Occupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
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Yue X, Zhang T, Yang D, Qiu F, Li Z, Wei G, Qiao Y. Ag nanoparticles coated cellulose membrane with high infrared reflection, breathability and antibacterial property for human thermal insulation. J Colloid Interface Sci 2018; 535:363-370. [PMID: 30316123 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
To maintain personal thermal comfort in cold weather, indoor heating consumes large amount of energy and is a primary source of greenhouse gas emission. Traditional clothes are too thick for thermal comfort in cold outdoor environment, resulting the lower wearing comfort. In this work, a multifunctional Ag nanoparticles/cellulose fibers thermal insulation membrane starting from waste paper cellulose fibers was prepared via simple silver mirror reaction and subsequent vacuum filtration process to improve the infrared reflection properties of membranes for human thermal insulation. The sphere-like Ag nanoparticles were tightly anchored on surface of waste paper cellulose fibers, forming an Ag nanoparticles infrared radiation reflection coating with high infrared reflectance, resulting in high thermal insulation capacity of the thermal insulation membrane. In addition, Ag nanoparticles endow the thermo insulation membrane with excellent antibacterial activity, and the thermo insulation membranes can effectively inhibit the growth of both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In this thermal insulation system, the thermo insulation membranes show superhydrophilicity and porosity, which allow the membranes to be breathable for comfortable wearing feeling. These promising results including high infrared reflection for high thermal insolating, high breathability for wearing comfort, and excellent antibacterial activity make the Ag/cellulose thermo insulation membranes promising candidates for applications in human thermal management, energy regulation and other facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejie Yue
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Dongya Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fengxian Qiu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Zhangdi Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Gengyao Wei
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu Qiao
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Hebei Key Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066000, Hebei Province, China
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Gu J, Gu H, Zhang Q, Zhao Y, Li N, Xiong J. Sandwich-structured composite fibrous membranes with tunable porous structure for waterproof, breathable, and oil-water separation applications. J Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 514:386-395. [PMID: 29278794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2017.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS In general, microporous membranes with waterproofness, breathability, and oil-water separation performance are prepared from hydrophobic raw materials and demonstrated to exhibit an interconnected porous structure. Hence, constructing porous and gradient-structured composite membranes by integrating robust hydrophobic/lipophilic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and breathable polyurethane (PU) microporous membranes could help realize a selective separation process. EXPERIMENT Here, novel polyvinylidene fluoride-carbon nanotube/polyurethane/polyvinylidene fluoride-carbon nanotube (PVDF-CNT/PU/PVDF-CNT) sandwich-structured microporous membranes were fabricated by sequential electrospinning. The influence of the thickness ratios of PVDF/PU/PVDF and carbon nanotube (CNT) content on the fibrous construction, porous structure, and wettability of the composite membranes was systematically studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pore size, porosity and contact angle. Significantly, the effect of the fibrous construction, porous structure, and wettability on the waterproofness, breathability, and oil-water separation ability of the composite membranes was investigated. FINDINGS The novel separation system proved the 'complementary effect' between the PVDF and PU membranes. Further, because of the elaborate gradient construction, superior porous structure, and robust hydrophobicity-oleophilicity, the resultant membranes exhibited moderate waterproofness (38 kPa) and excellent breathability (8.63 kg m-2 d-1), and oil-water separation, confirming that they could be promising alternatives for numerous practical applications, such as protective clothing, treatment of oil-contaminated water, and membrane distillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatai Gu
- Silk Institute, College of Materials and Textiles, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Haihong Gu
- Silk Institute, College of Materials and Textiles, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Silk Institute, College of Materials and Textiles, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Yonghuan Zhao
- Silk Institute, College of Materials and Textiles, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Ni Li
- Silk Institute, College of Materials and Textiles, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China.
| | - Jie Xiong
- Silk Institute, College of Materials and Textiles, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China.
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