Solar-induced self-healing superhydrophobic masks with photo-sterilization and reusability

Abstract

Personal protective masks have been widely recommended to mitigate the transmission of respiratory diseases during a pandemic outbreak. However, common surgical masks cannot be self-sterilized for reuse, resulting in the increasing potential risk of second infection and higher economic costs. Herein, the solar-induced self-healing superhydrophobic mask (PCNTs-HD₈) with excellent photo-sterilized and reusable capabilities is fabricated by a simple spraying technology. The PCNTs-HD₈ exhibits remarkable superhydrophobic and photothermal properties, enabling the potent synergistic antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Benefiting from the excellent solar-induced self-healing superhydrophobic properties, PCNTs-HD₈ shows potential for reusable without losing the efficient synergistic antibacterial properties even after undergoing 12 times of etching-healing cycles. The PCNTs-HD₈ also maintains almost the same water vapor transport rate compared with pristine surgical masks. This work provides an immediate strategy to mitigate the transmission of respiratory diseases while reducing economic costs and resource consumption.