Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Research Center for Biophotonics, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy.
CNR-Lab. Licryl, Institute NANOTEC, 87036, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.
Chemistry. 2021 Apr 7;27(20):6112-6130. doi: 10.1002/chem.202004875. Epub 2021 Feb 5.
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency has demonstrated that the utilization of face masks plays a critical role in limiting the outbreak. Healthcare professionals utilize masks all day long without replacing them very frequently, thus representing a source of cross-infection for patients and themselves. Nanotechnology is a powerful tool with the capability to produce nanomaterials with unique physicochemical and antipathogen properties. Here, how to realize non-disposable and highly comfortable respirators with light-triggered self-disinfection ability by bridging bioactive nanofiber properties and stimuli-responsive nanomaterials is outlined. The visionary road highlighted in this Concept is based on the possibility of developing a new generation of masks based on multifunctional membranes where the presence of nanoclusters and plasmonic nanoparticles arranged in a hierarchical structure enables the realization of a chemically driven and on-demand antipathogen activities. Multilayer electrospun membranes have the ability to dissipate humidity present within the mask, enhancing the wearability and usability. The photothermal disinfected membrane is the core of these 3D printed and reusable masks with moisture pump capability. Personalized face masks with smart nano-assisted destruction of pathogens will bring enormous advantages to the entire global community, especially for front-line personnel, and will open up great opportunities for innovative medical applications.
2019 年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）疫情表明，口罩的使用对于限制疫情爆发至关重要。医护人员全天佩戴口罩，但更换频率并不高，因此成为患者和自身交叉感染的源头。纳米技术是一种强大的工具，能够生产具有独特物理化学和抗病原体特性的纳米材料。在这里，通过桥接生物活性纳米纤维特性和响应性纳米材料，概述了如何实现具有光触发自消毒能力的非一次性和高度舒适的呼吸器。这一概念中突出的有远见的道路基于开发新一代基于多功能膜的口罩的可能性，其中纳米簇和等离子体纳米粒子的有序分层结构使化学驱动和按需抗病原体活性成为可能。多层静电纺丝膜具有耗散口罩内湿度的能力，从而提高了佩戴的舒适性和可用性。具有吸湿功能的光热消毒膜是这些 3D 打印和可重复使用口罩的核心。具有智能纳米辅助破坏病原体功能的个性化口罩将为整个全球社区带来巨大优势，特别是为一线人员，并为创新的医疗应用开辟巨大机遇。
