Synergetic Chemo-Mechano Antimicrobial Puncturable Nanostructures for Efficient Bioaerosol Removal

Abstract

Concerns regarding air pollution and the risk of infectious diseases caused by bioaerosols have led to growing demand for effective filtration solutions. The effective capture of bioaerosols is essential; however, addressing the potential multiplication of captured aerosols on the air filter over time is also crucial. Therefore, the development of air filters with enhanced antimicrobial protection is imperative for preventing the proliferation of bioaerosols and ensuring safer and healthier air filtration systems. In this study, antimicrobial peptides conjugated nanostructures were used to enhance the capture and killing of bioaerosols with synergistic chemo-mechano-antimicrobial actions. We designed a puncturable nanostructure on an air filter and functionalized it with the antimicrobial LL-37 peptide. Bioaerosol filtration and antimicrobial performance tests were conducted to evaluate the synergistic effects of the antimicrobial puncturable nanostructures on bioaerosol removal. The peptide-conjugated puncturable nanostructured air filter outperformed bare air filters in bioaerosol capture and exhibited significantly better contact-killing properties against bioaerosols. These attributes indicate the ability of the filter to significant capture and kill airborne pathogens. The synergetic chemo-mechano-antimicrobial nanostructured filter is promising for combating airborne threats and serves as a safe filtration solution that is free from biotoxicity concerns and is suitable for widespread implementation in the market.