Though the known aerosol transmission of HxNx viruses is linked to widespread infection rates, studies to date have not succeeded in quantifying submicron Influenza viral particles in exhaled breath. This study examines whether aerosol transmitted nanoparticles can be effectively captured using electrospun Nylon-6 nanofiber membranes in an isolated air chamber. This air chamber will simulate human exhalation using a respirator, and will propel aerosol nanoparticles to the Nylon-6 membrane for capture. Considering the filtering capability of membranes in the slip-flow regime, it's possible that membranes with fiber diameters between 100 nm to 200 nm can capture 200nm to 500nm size particles (the size range of Influenza particles reported difficult to isolate).  A salt solution and a fluorescent bead solution will provide nanoparticles for aerosolization. They will be separately nebulized, and introduced into the simulated breathing apparatus for dispersal. Distributions of the particles flowing through the air chamber before and after collision with the nanofiber membrane will be found using an 8-stage cascade impactor. Qualitative observations and particle sizes are found via FESEM and LCFM. Poly(acrylic acid), PAA, grafted to the Nylon-6 membrane surface using EDC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride), will also be examined for changes in nanoparticle capture as well. The end use goal for the plain and surface modified nanofiber membranes is that they will serve as effective media for the quarantine and characterization of nanoscale HxNx Influenza particles.

Electrospun Nylon-6 membranes for capturing aerosolized nanoparticles

246th National Meeting (2013)

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