Exploring innovations in antimicrobial protective mask filters: A review

Mask filters are necessary for personal protection. The COVID-19 pandemic exemplified this need. Nonetheless, they can pose risk of transmission as captured microbes or respiratory droplets can remain viable on filters and propagate under ideal environmental conditions. It became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic that conventional masks alone are insufficient for ensuring adequate safety and disrupting the route of spread. Equipping protective masks with antimicrobial property is fundamental to overcoming the survivability of microbes on the surface of filter media and ensuring personal safety. Consequently, this has become a significant research focus, with a sharp upsurge in publications in the COVID-19 era. In this work, we present a comprehensive review of crucial advancements in antimicrobial mask filters, emphasizing the relevance of this topic within the contemporary framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the anticipated performance standards associated with the expanding market of antimicrobial protective mask filters.