Bacteria are microorganisms, sometimes pathogenic, that cause the persistence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). With the increased bacteria-induced hospital-acquired HAIs caused by bio-contaminated surfaces, the requirement for a safer and more efficient antibacterial strategy in designing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 respirators is rising with urgency. Herein, a self-decontaminating nanofibrous filter with a high particulate matter (PM) filtration efficiency was designed and fabricated via a facile electrospinning method. The fillers implemented in the electrospun nanofibers were constructed by grafting a layer of antibacterial polymeric quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), that is, poly [2-(dimethyl decyl ammonium)ethyl methacrylate] (PQDMAEMA), onto the surface of metal-organic framework (MOF, UiO-66-NH2 as a model) to form the active composite UiO-PQDMAEMA. Endorsed by the high surface area and hierarchical pore structures, the UiO-PQDMAEMA filter demonstrates an excellent PM filtration efficiency (&gt; 95%) at the most penetrating particle size (MPPS) of 80 nm, which is comparable to that of the commercial N95 respirators. To take full advantage of the polymeric QAC layer for efficient bacteria disinfection, the UiO-PQDMAEMA crystals were selectively exposed on the surface of backbone nanofibers through a “one-step” electrospinning approach. By rationally increasing the electrospinning working temperature and reducing the relative humidity, the diameter of backbone support nanofibers is smaller than that of incorporated UiO-PQDMAEMA crystals. Therefore, the surface properties of these embedded UiO-PQDMAEMA crystals can be fully exploited. As expected, the UiO-PQDMAEMA filter is capable of efficiently killing both Gram-positive (S. epidermidis) and Gram-negative (E. coli) airborne bacteria. The strong electrostatic interactions between the anionic cell wall of the bacteria and positively charged nitrogen of UiO-PQDMAEMA are the main reasons for severe cell membrane disruption, which leads to the death of bacteria. This work provides a new avenue for combating air contamination by using the QAC-modified MOF-based active filters.

Smart engineered antibacterial nanofibrous filters for efficient particulate removal and airborne pathogens disinfection

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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