Electrospun cellulose acetate nanofiber interlayers doped with copper and iron salts for medical face mask filtration: performance and preliminary microbial screening
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study develops electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofiber interlayers containing copper and/or iron sulfates as candidate filter media for medical face masks. CA solutions (12, 18, 24 wt%) were electrospun under various conditions to optimize morphology; 18 wt% was selected for metal salt incorporation. Samples (neat CA, CA-Cu, CA-Fe, CA-Fe-Cu) were characterized by FESEM, EDS, mechanical testing, porosity, filtration, and a preliminary microbial wear screening. CA-Fe showed the smallest fiber diameter (673.2 nm) and highest porosity (75.2%); CA-Fe-Cu showed 690.8 nm and 73.8%. Iron doping enhanced ductility but reduced tensile strength; copper doping preserved mechanical integrity. At 0.3 μm, CA-Fe-Cu achieved the highest particle filtration efficiency (97.8%) and quality factor (0.098 Pa -1 ), while the melt-blown reference showed lower efficiency (78.3%). In the preliminary microbial wear screening, CA-Cu showed no colony formation after 2 h of wear, CA-Fe showed one colony, and CA-Fe-Cu showed 15 colonies. This procedure was not a standardised BFE or antibacterial assay, and only a single volunteer was used. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc tests confirmed significant differences (p < 0.05) for physical and filtration parameters. Copper-doped CA interlayers are promising candidates for medical face mask filter media, while the bimetallic Cu-Fe system reveals composition-performance trade-offs.
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,790
OpenAlex ID: W7223147307