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Abstract
Membrane materials might be used for face protection because they can decontaminate the inhaled air from particle pollution and viruses like the SARS-Cov0-2 which damages our respiration system. In this study, plyethersulfone membranes (PES) were synthesized with green solvent at room temperature and its filtration effectiveness was investigated against nano-bacteria (size 0.05 to 0.2 µm) by measuring their Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) and micro aerosol size (0.3 µm), and Particulate Filtration Efficiency (PFE). The average SARS-CoV-2 diameters are between 50 nm to 160 nm. A series of experiments were performed to accomplish between 0.03 to 0.21 µm PES sponge like diameters so that can be used for SARS-CoV-2 filtration. Results showed that nanofiltration/ultrafiltration could filter 99.9% of bacteria and aerosol from contaminated air the size of the Covid-19 molecule.
Graphical Abstract
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Authors’ contributions
MET has conceived the idea, conducted the experiments, and written the initial draft. MET, FA, MNP, WJ, FH, GKS, VN analyzed the data and prepared the final draft. HS has administered the project. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Md Eman Talukder
MD Eman Takukder: During my undergraduate study, my major was in textile Engineering. Although my grades were among the highest top 10, CGPA 3.81 out of 4.00 Scale, I received a merit scholarship every semester. I had completed my undergraduate research project on the textile dyeing section. This sector is also related to wastewater treatment plant ETP (Effluent Treatment Plant). However, besides some cognition, what I gained from my school education was a significant self-discovery. My under-graduation and post-graduation study of medium of instruction and examination is English. In June 2015, I got Wuhan Textile University President Scholarship. Now I am doing a research-based master's degree within the major of Textile Chemistry with the department of the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Wuhan Textile University, China. My master thesis research was done under the famous Chinese professor Dr. Jinbo Yao Dean of College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, the preparation of layer by layer electrospun membrane-based wound dressing for skin injuries treatment and stem cell tissue regeneration engineering by electrospinning process. I also had done one project in my first year with my friend by using of membrane bioreactor to remove the antibiotics micropollutants from wastewater. I have completed my master degree by securing 2nd position in among all international students (CGPA 3.89 out of 4.00 Scale). Approximately in Oct 2021, my Ph.D. graduation will be completed from Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences with the project of Fabrication and improving the membrane performance for wastewater filtration and purification by using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) module.
Fariya Alam
FariyaAlam: I am doing my BSc degree in Textile Engineering at the BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (Bangladesh). My current research focuses on the development of textile fashion and design sustainable textile product for environmental applications
Md. Nahid Pervez
Md. Nahid Pervez received his BSc degree in Textile Engineering (2014) at the Southeast University (Bangladesh) under the supervision of Prof Syed Fakhrul Hassan. After that, he secured Color Root (Hubei) Scholarship to pursue his MSc studies in Textile Engineering at the Wuhan Textile University (China) in 2016. During his MSc studies, he worked on dye wastewater treatment by Fenton catalytic system in the group of Prof. Felix Y. Telegin (Russia). Afterwards, he worked as a visiting researcher at the Heriot-Watt University (UK, 2016-2017), Vilnius University (Lithuania, 2018). Currently, he is a doctoral candidate at the University of Salerno (Italy) under the supervision of Prof. Vincenzo Naddeo, and he spent one year research period at the University of Boras (Sweden, 2020). His current research focuses on the development of sustainable materials for environmental applications.
Wang Jiangming
Jianming Wang received the B.S. degree in Polymer material and Engineering from Yaitai University, Yaitai, China in 2009 and the M.S. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Tiangong University, Tianjin, China in 2012. In 2012, he joined Guangzhou Institute of Advanced Technology and engaged in scientific research. He research interests include preparation and application of separation membrane, material modification technology.
Fahim Hassan
Fahim Hassan: For as long as I can remember I've known what I wanted to do with my life. Dedicating my life to improving the lives of others is very appealing to me. This is Fahim Hassan. I hold a [four year] Bachelor's Degree in Textile Engineering from Southeast University; Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a CGPA of 3.12 out of 4.00. I was amongst the top 50 students of my class of 120 students. I have been, in the past, amongst the top rankers in the entrance tests conducted by the academic institution of my education. Our university is considered to be the one of the best university in my country for “Textile Education” as a cradle for making the excellence of Textile leaders.
George K. Stylios
Prof. George K. Stylios: I come from a textile business background in Greece and studied in the UK. I completed my postgraduate studies in Leeds and then went onto my MSc and PhD, which were funded by M&S and their suppliers. I completed my PhD in 1986 and became a lecturer in clothing at Bradford, and then became a fellow of the Science and Technology Agency in Japan in 1991 before returning to Bradford in 1992. I obtained my personal chair in industrial engineering systems at Bradford in 1994 whilst continuing research in textile objective measurement applied at the textile and clothing interface. In 1999 I joined the School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University as Professor of Textiles and I'm currently Director of TechniTex and the Faraday Partnership in Technical Textiles.
Vincenzo Naddeo
Prof. Vincenzo Naddeo is Director of the Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED) at the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Salerno (Italy), where he drives research and academic activities in the Environmental Engineering fields. He serves as an affiliate professor at both the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Washington (Seattle, WA, USA) and at the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering of the Tamkang University (New Taipei City, Taiwan). His research focuses on advanced water/wastewater treatment, characterization and control of environmental odours and environmental impact assessment (EIA). He developed advanced biological processes for wastewater treatment and control of emerging contaminants, novel ultrasound-based technological processes for treating environmental matrices (solid, liquid and gaseous) and biotechnologies for wastewater re-use with simultaneous energy production within the framework of the circular economy.
Hongchen Song
Hongchen Song, Ph.D. Supervisor, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. RESEARCH AREAS: (1) Preparation and Modification of Polymer Membranes. (2) Membrane Application in Water Treatment. (3) Continuous Bioseparation and Purification Process System. (4) Design and Fabrication of Flat Membrane Casting Equipment for Scientific Research.