Wearable Laser-Induced Graphene Mask

Prof. Ruquan Ye, from city University of Hong Kong and his collaboration with Prof. Chunlei Zhu, Ben Zhong Tang, and their research team have developed photo-thermally laser-induced graphene as a wearable mask with superior antibacterial capacity. Face masks have become a life-sustaining role in fighting against the outbreak of diseases like EBOLA and COVID-19. However, improper usage and disposal of masks may lead to secondary transmission around the globe.

The vital role of the mask is a primary source to prevent us from COVID-19. In this pandemic situation, we must be alert about the used mask materials. The materials should safeguard us from COVID-19 as well as it must be bio-degradable material to safeguard around the world.

The masks, currently available in the market are of single-use with/without filtering layers of thermoplastic materials like polypropylene. The degradation of these used masks takes at least 10 years which becomes a huge concern as a pollutant to the environment. Commonly used masks are not anti-bacterial, the virus may accumulate on the mask and could be deactivated at 56 °C for 15 min. Considering the safety and protection issues, the development of a self-reporting antibacterial mask improves the protection from the second transmission, which is especially important for health workers [1].

Figure 1. Diagram of LIG mask and hygroelectric reporter [1].

Huang et al. have also fabricated the hydrophobic and hydrophilic LIG PI film with a thickness of 0.05 mm was provided by Zeman Tape Material Technology, China. The PI film was irradiated with a 10.6 μm CO₂ laser marking machine (Minsheng Laser #MSDB-FM60 CO₂ Laser Marker, 60 W) in a nitrogen atmosphere and ambient atmosphere. The operating laser power, speed, and line spacing were set to 1.8 W, 1000 mm/s, and 0.03 mm, respectively. The LIG for hygroelectricity generation was conducted by two lases in ambient air. First, lase was applied to create a continuous film of LIG. The laser power, speed, and line spacing of which were set as 6 W, 1000 mm/s, and 0.03 mm, and was rastered. Then, the second step is the LIG film has been divided into four sections, which were lased again with different pulse/dot settings to obtain a device with regions with increasing LIG oxidation. The second lase was applied under vector mode. Increasing the pulse number per dots will reduce the average energy of each pulse with a constant laser power density. After fabrication, two aluminum strip tapes were connected to the two edges of LIG (highly oxidized LIG and mildly oxidized LIG). Finally, the positive and negative wire of the source/measure unit was connected to the mildly oxidized LIG and highly oxidized LIG, respectively. The environment temperature and relative humidity were 25 °C and 65%, respectively [1].

Graphene is well-known for its anti-bacterial properties, producing wearable masks with laser-induced graphene (LIG) is considered as an alternative material to make masks. Prof. Ruquan Ye has further investigated laser induced graphene synthesized from polymer substrates using an infrared CO₂ laser. The utilization of CO₂ laser creates the porous on the surface of laser induced graphene. The formation of a 3D porous structure of laser induced graphene was also done experimentally [1].

The antibacterial performance of laser induced graphene was tested with E-coli on the comparison. The efficiency towards activated carbon fiber and melt-blown fabrics indicates that 90% of E-coli cells remain alive on activated carbon fiber and melt-blown fabrics after 8 h. But interestingly, most of the E-coli cells were dead on laser induced graphene surface. It can be evidenced from the viability of E-coli on laser induced graphene dropped from 1.9 x 10⁶ to 3.5 x 10⁵ CFU(colony-forming unit) and achieved high anti-bacterial activity. Control experimental investigations on hydrophobic and hydrophilic laser induced graphene showed that the bactericidal ability improves by 7% in hydrophobic laser induced graphene (81%) than that of hydrophilic laser induced graphene (74.5%).

Graphene is also well-known for superior photo-band absorber, further attempts were carried out by using photothermal effect of activated carbon fiber and melt-blown fabrics and laser induced graphene for anti-bacterial studies. The activated carbon fiber and melt-blown fabrics show an enhancement in the anti-bacterial efficiency after illumination under sunlight for 10 min, and it was found to be 67.25% and 85.3% respectively. Whereas, there is a great enhancement in the bactericidal activity after exposure to sunlight on laser induced graphene, hence the efficiency improves to 99.998% [1].

An important factor for mask material is the ability of LIG to capture bioaerosols. Yang et al., reported that the hygro electricity is potentially useful for the power of commercial low-power devices, which includes light-emitting diodes and liquid crystal displays by simply connecting via the LIG hygroelectric generators in serial or parallel [2]. The LIG can be converted from a diversity of carbon precursors which includes of biomaterials, that eases environmental pressure amid and the supply stress of an outbreak. The accumulation of bacteria and atmospheric particles will destroy the surface gradient and eventually dismiss the induced potential at high external matter loading, as the moisture-induced electricity is established from the gradient hydration the ability from the LIG surfaces [3].

Our SNB team recommended this research article to enrich our viewer’s knowledge about the development of photo-thermally laser-induced graphene a wearable mask with superior antibacterial capacity. The self-reporting mask conditions were investigated by hygroelectic effect on laser induced graphene, which reveals the high protection ability of masks. Also, the resultant laser induced masks can be converted from biodegradable materials, which is more environmental begin and eco friendly. Therefore, laser induced graphene and their technology were enhanced the safe use of masks and benefit with global care scenario.

References

1. L. Huang, et al., ACS Nano 14, 12045 (2020) DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c05330.

2. Huang, et al., Nat. Commun. 9, 4166 (2018).

3. Yang, et al., Adv. Mater. 31, 1805705 (2019).

Blog Written By

Dr. D. Manoj

School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China

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