Face Masks With Antiviral Layer Could Prevent COVID-19 From Spreading

With COVID-19 still on the prowl, social distancing and face masks have become two of the most important weapons against the pandemic causing novel coronavirus.

And we¡¯re seeing face masks come in different shapes and sizes -- some with hi-tech filters in them, some that can be easily recycled while some that are absurdly unusable.

Representational Image: Unsplash

However, scientists have now developed a face mask (published in Matter) which is injected with antiviral chemicals that can destroy the novel coronavirus before it is exhaled into the world. The concept mask is making use of a phosphoric acid and copper salt to kill the virus, covered on a layer of polyaniline.

The antiviral chemical components when come in contact with the droplets released in the air, reduce the intensity of the infection, making it less infectious.

Study leader Jiaxing Huang at Northwestern University in Illinois explains, ¡°Masks are perhaps the most important component of the personal protective equipment needed to fight a pandemic. We quickly realized that a mask not only protects the person wearing it but much more importantly, it protects others from being exposed to the droplets and germs released by the wearer.¡±

In order to get the perfect fabric for the mask, they tested different materials in a lab simulating inhalation, exhalation, coughing and even sneezing. The best material ended up being polyaniline -- a fabric that is used to coat fabrics.

According to researchers, even though masks can block exhaled respiratory droplets, some droplets manage to escape with the virus embedded in them. This can easily infect others either by being inhaled by someone or by coming in contact with a commonly touched surface.

Northwestern University

However, the team¡¯s approach aimed to change the chemical composition of the droplets making the viruses inactive so even if they get out, they¡¯re harmless. Phosphoric acid and copper salt managed to create a local chemical environment that damaged the SARS-CoV-2¡¯s viral envelope.

Huang further explained, ¡°Virus structures are actually very delicate and brittle and if any part of the virus malfunctions, then it loses the ability to infect.¡±

While further tests still remain to truly gauge the efficacy of such masks, it is a novel and innovative approach nonetheless.