Photoactive Antiviral Face Mask with Self-Sterilization and Reusability

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the increasing demand and disposal of surgical masks has resulted in significant economic costs and environmental impacts. Here, we applied a dual-channel spray-assisted nanocoating hybrid of shellac/copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) to a nonwoven surgical mask, thereby increasing the hydrophobicity of the surface and repelling aqueous droplets. The resulting surface showed outstanding photoactivity (combined photocatalytic and photothermal properties) for antimicrobial action, conferring reusability and self-sterilizing ability to the masks. Under solar illumination, the temperature of this photoactive antiviral mask (PAM) rapidly increased to >70 °C, generating a high level of free radicals that disrupted the membrane of nanosized (∼100 nm) virus-like particles and made the masks self-cleaning and reusable. This PAM design can provide significant protection against the transmission of viral aerosols in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.