Polymer Porous Fibrous Structures with Antiviral Properties

我的研究计划的总体长期目标是开发功能性应用的纤维非织造结构，如过滤器、传感器、支架、口罩、医疗服等。其中许多应用涉及我们的日常生活使用以及卫生部门。我的研究计划的短期目标是开发纤维聚合物非织造结构，其材料和策略可以赋予它们抗病毒功能，但仍然达到其其他要求，如柔韧性，过滤/渗透能力等。此外，由于这种聚合物基产品的污染潜力，它们的可回收性/可降解性将被考虑在内。将研究至少两种不同的材料（一种是可生物降解的：聚己内酯，PCL，另一种是不可降解的：聚丙烯，PP）和结合微纳米纤维的结构。具体目标是根据活性物质的类型确定的，就抗病毒特性而言，将在未来五年内进行研究。塑料材料中的这些抗病毒剂可分为：(i)金属纳米颗粒，（ii）阳离子离子载体，（iii）金属和铵盐，（iv）配位配合物和(v)精油。在方法方面，聚合物与添加剂的复合将使用微型复合机、内部混合器或双螺杆挤出机进行。静电纺丝将使用溶液和熔体的各种装置和设备（使用加热注射器和/或微型计算机）同时或依次进行。静电纺活性非织造垫将在结构、对各种气体的渗透性和过滤能力方面进行评估。抗病毒性能将在我们最新的二级实验室进行抗菌和抗病毒测试，使用标准程序进行评估。值得注意的是，根据美国环境保护署（EPA）的杀毒剂有效性测试指南，一种药剂被认为是有效的杀毒剂，至少需要将TCID50数据（即在培养细胞的试管或孔板上接种稀释的病毒液溶液时，50%的细胞被感染的浓度，与对照样品相比）降低3个对数。对于可堆肥性和降解性，我们的实验室近年来开发了一个实验室规模的装置，用于基于ASTM D5338的堆肥，并将用于生物可降解聚合物非织造布。为了回收利用，非织造布结构将在微压机、内混机或双螺杆挤出机中再次复合，并重新用于静电纺丝，无论是否添加原始材料。随着目前covid-19疾病的爆发，预防和/或减少病毒传播将产生重大的社会、经济和健康影响，除了培训这方面的高素质人才，这将有利于加拿大的工业。

The general long term objective of my research program is the development of fibrous nonwoven structures for functional applications such as filters, sensors, scaffolds, masks, medical gowns etc. Many of these applications are involved in our daily life uses as well as in the health sector. The short term objective of my research program is to develop fibrous polymer nonwoven structures with materials and strategies that can impart them with an antiviral functionality, but still achieve their other requirements such as flexibility, filtration/permeation ability, etc. In addition, due to the pollution potential of such polymer based products, their recyclability/degradability aspects will be taken into account. At least two different materials (one biodegradable: polycaprolactone, PCL, and one non degradable: polypropylene, PP) and structures with combined micro and nano sized fibers will be studied. The specific objectives are defined in relation to the type of active materials, in terms of antiviral properties, that will be studied in the next five years. These antiviral agents in plastic materials can be categorized as: (i) metallic nanoparticles, (ii) cationic ion carriers, (iii) metallic and ammonium salts, (iv) coordination complexes, and (v) essential oils. In terms of methodology, compounding of the polymers with the additives will be performed using a mini-compounder, an internal mixer or a twin screw extruder. Electrospinning will be performed using various set-ups and equipments from both solution and the melt (using heated syringes and/or microcompouder), simultaneously or sequentially. Electrospun active nonwoven mats will be evaluated in terms of structure, permeability to various gases and filtration capabilities. The antiviral properties will be evaluated in our most recent class II laboratory for antibacterial and antiviral testing using standard procedures. It should be noted that, based on US environmental protection agency (EPA) virucide effectiveness test guide, at least 3 log reduction in TCID50 data (which means the concentration at which 50% of the cells are infected when a test tube or well plate upon which cells have been cultured is inoculated with a dilute solution of viral fluid, compared to a control sample) is required for an agent to be considered as an effective virucide. For compostability and degradation, our lab has developed in recent years a laboratory scale setup for composting based on ASTM D5338 and will be used for biodegradable polymers nonwovens. For recyclability, the nonwoven structures will be compounded in a microtruder, internal mixer or twin screw extruder again and re-used for electrospinning, with or without addition of virgin materials. With the present outbreak of covid-19 disease, prevention and/or reduction of viral transmission will have a significant societal, economic and health impact in addition to training highly qualified personnel in this area which will benefit Canadian industry.