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ITAA - KSCT Joint Symposium

Integrating Functional Nanofibers into Medical Textiles: A New Paradigm in Respiratory Protection and Sustainability

Authors
  • Saloni Purandare (Gaston College)
  • Sophia McDonald (Iowa State University)
  • Rui Li (Iowa State University)
  • Chunhui Xiang (Iowa State University)
  • Guowen Song (Iowa State University)

Abstract

Textile materials can become hosts to microorganisms, posing potential risks to the wearer's health. Therefore, antimicrobial functionality is essential in medical textiles. Medical protective textiles such as face masks and respirators are crucial to ensure the safety of front-line workers. While ensuring safety and functionality, user comfort must also be ensured. Currently used medical textiles, such as polypropylene masks, are uncomfortable due to their hydrophobic properties. This study uses polypropylene mask as a model to showcase the benefits of integrating non-toxic antimicrobial hydrophilic nanofibers. This study demostrated the addition and characterization of one such nanofiber system as inner layer of medical mask, resulting in antimicrobial function and comfort enhancement.

Keywords: Antimicrobial nanofiber, Antimicrobial mask, Non-toxic antimicrobial mask, Ɛ-Poly-L-Lysine

How to Cite:

Purandare, S., McDonald, S., Li, R., Xiang, C. & Song, G., (2025) “Integrating Functional Nanofibers into Medical Textiles: A New Paradigm in Respiratory Protection and Sustainability”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21943

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Published on
2025-12-17

Peer Reviewed

License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0