Global Nanotechnology Face Mask Database

R&D and Barrier Technologies for Respiratory Diseases

Part A: Commercial companies listed alphabetically
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99%

Using the company's patented BreSafe technology, the masks filter hazardous particles at PM2.5 and below, while allowing impressively low air resistance.

 
Country: Korea
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%

KOPPER+ non-woven mask is made of special fibers with copper ions infused on the mask outer surface. Instant sterilization as soon as the bacteria touch the mask.

 
Country: UK
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: 94%

A FFP2 equivalent washable, reusable 3-layer antibacterial mask with a middle layer of silver-coated nanofibers.

 
Country: Spain
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >94%

A reusable FFP2 mask with electrospun nanofiber filtration media and a virucidal component layered between conventional non-woven layers.

 
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: >99%

The washable, 3-layered mask features patented ZioShield® textile nanoparticle coating.

 
Country: Denmark
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%

A 5-layer, washable, Type IIR Face mask with a self-disinfecting TiO2 nanoparticle coated surface.

 
Country: UK
Nanomaterial: Graphene
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.

The company's G+® (Pristine Graphene Nanoplatelets) enhanced fabric is naturally bacteriostatic, which means that it stops bacteria reproducing on the mask and the fabric itself is dermatologically tested and hypoallergenic.

 
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >95%

Nomex® Nano Flex is a highly breathable FR material that is highly flame resistant and also delivers superior particle barrier performance.

 
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >95%

A 6-layer mask with two nanofiber membranes with greater than 95% filtration efficiency of 0.3 microns.

 
Country: India
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 98%

A reusable face mask created with layers of cotton charged with copper oxide and a nanomembrane filter insert.

 
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%

The mask contains a nanofiber layer of polymer PVDF sandwiched between two layers of PET Spunbond.

 
Country: UK
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.

The mask incorporates titanium dioxide nanoparticles for its antimicrobial action.

 
Country: UK
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99.6%

Using a triple sandwich layer?nanofibers?combination, the K-Filters have been designed as a re-usable filter. The nanofibers are made from biocompatible hydrophobic material which is elastic and electrostatic, meaning they are highly breathable and flexible, and will not become wet with water vapour from breathing.

 
Country: Czech Republic
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99.8%

Efficiency of YourMask was tested by Nelson Laboratories in the USA and their measured filtration efficiency is 99.80% for bacteria filtration and 99.86% for filtration of viruses.

 
Country: Czech Republic
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%

The mask is made of a three-layer filtration medium composed of a supporting textile layer, a nanofiber filter, and a textile protective layer.

 
Country: Czech Republic
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >98%

Reusable nanofiber-based drape with nanofibrous membrane BreaSAFE® NnF MBRANE with active silver.

 
Country: Czech Republic
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >99%

A two-layer cotton textile face masks with a pocket for the possible use of filter inserts. The mask's protective function can be significantly enhanced by using a filter insert made by NANOLOGIX, consisting of nanofibrous filtration materials with a certified viral filtration efficiency of more than 99%.

 
Country: Czech Republic
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 97-99.9%

Designer nano face masks are fitted with a nanofiber membrane test proven to capture 97-99.9% of bacteria, viruses, pollen, and other sub-micron particles. The nanofiber membrane also contains Nanosilver particles, which prevent microorganisms from surviving and proliferating in the structure of the mask.

 
Country: Belgium
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 97%

The outer layer has a water repellent finish to make sure that the absorption of humid particles is reduced to a minimum. The middle layer was specifically selected to filter as much particles as possible. The inner layer is a special copper infused Nanostitch® fabric containing certified anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties called Nanostitch Cuprana.

 
Country: Canada
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: >99%

14-Day reusable respirator mask with Fosshield® technology using nanoparticulate silver-copper zeolite antimicrobial agent embedded throughout the fabric of the mask.

 
Country: India
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99%

A 3-layer mask with a nanofiber membrane sandwiched between two cloth layers. The nanofiber membrane is tested to filter down to 0.1 micron with a >99% efficacy.

 
Country: India
Nanomaterial: Nnaofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >99.4%

The outer layers of this 5-layer mask are non-woven fabrics, the two inner layers are melt-blown cotton, and the middle filtration membrane is activated carbon fiber.

 
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 96-98.8%

BarriAire™ particulate products combine two layers of proven flame-resistant fabric and a middle layer of ultra-lightweight DuPont™ Nomex&refg; Nano Flex fabric which blocks penetration of 96% to 98.8% of harmful submicron size particulates. BarriAire™ Gold quilted composite fabrics recently achieved Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) Rating of 96.8% and Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) Rating of 97.9%.

 
Country: Australia
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >99%

The nanofibers in the filtration membrane in this 4-layer mask are functionalized with the antiviral agents during the electrospinning process.

 
Country: Czech Republic
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%

The mask contains a membrane of nanofibers are made of 99.9% polypropylene and 0.1% PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) with a base of non-woven fabric.

 
Country: UK
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%

The nanofiber filtration layer in ReSpimask is covered from both sides with nonwoven fabric. It captures 99.9% of allergens, viruses, bacteria, mold, dust, smog, emissions and other dangerous airborne particles.

 
Country: Australia
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99%

This 3-layer washable face mask incorporates DuPont's SILVADUR antibacterial technology

 
Country: Switzerland
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >99%

The outer and inner layer of Avevitta Protect 2.0 Mask is permanently ionized and denatures the protective protein coat of the virus, killing the virus. The two middle layers are a polypropylene filter with >99% efficiency and a PFTE nanofiltration membrane with 100-200nm nanopore structure.

 
Country: Czech Republic
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 95%

3-layer mask with viscose outer layers and a nanofiber membrane middle layer with capture performance down to 100 nm.

 
Country: Singapore
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%

N95 mask with a reusable snap-on micro ventilator. The surface of the mask is coated with anti-microbial technology proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. The layer inside the mask filters more than 95% of PM2.5 and harmful particles.

 
Country: UK
Nanomaterial: Graphene
Filtration Efficiency: 94%

The four-ply arrangement offers users a beneficial level of protection against airborne allergens, pathogens, pollen and dust particles that are larger than 0.3 microns in size, providing a minimum level of filtration of 94%. The mask is enhanced with a unique layer featuring an advanced graphene material, Nanene™.

 
Country: Vietnam
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: 99%

The inner layer of this 4-layer mask consists of the company's GECIDE antiviral non-woven fabric. The bactericidal nanoparticle compound coated on the GECIDE fabric layer penetrates the lipid bilayer of the pathogen.

 
Country: Japan
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 95%

Reusable, washable mask featuring a nanofiltration membrane composed of 200-800nm thick synthetic nanofibers.

 
Country: Canada
Nanomaterial: Graphene
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%

ZenGUARD™ is a hydrophilic, water attracting graphene-silver nanocomposite coating that adsorbs bacteria and virus-laden aerosols and deactivates them.

 
Part B: Research efforts listed alphabetically
Ben Gurion University of the Negev
Country: Israel
Nanomaterial: Carbon Dots
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.02.049
Article: Carbon Dot-Polymer Nanoporous Membrane for Recyclable Sunlight-Sterilized Facemasks

This research studies the synthesis of nanoporous membranes comprising carbon dots (C-dots) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and demonstrates their potential use for recyclable, self-sterilized facemasks.

 
Center for Soft and Living Matter, Institute for Basic Science
Country: Korea
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Nano Letters
DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c03725
Article: Photoactive Antiviral Face Mask with Self-Sterilization and Reusability

A non-woven surgical mask is coated with a dual-channel spray-assisted nanocoating hybrid of shellac/copper nanoparticles. The resulting surface showed outstanding photoactivity (combined photocatalytic and photothermal properties) for antimicrobial action, conferring reusability and self-sterilizing ability to the masks.

 
College of Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou
Country: PR China
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 96%
Publication: iScience
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.07.020
Article: Transparent Antibacterial Nanofiber Air Filters with Highly Efficient Moisture Resistance for Sustainable Particulate Matter Capture

A novel reusable bilayer fibrous filter consisting of electrospun superhydrophobic poly(methylmethacrylate)/polydimethylsiloxane fibers as the barrier for moisture ingression and superhydrophilic chitosan fibers for a PM2.5 capture.

 
College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Country: Malaysia
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Sustainable Chemical Engineering in Environment and Energy
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18515-5
Article: Cellulosic fiber nanocomposite application review with zinc oxide antimicrobial agent nanoparticle: an opt for COVID-19 purpose

A review of cellulosic nanofiber materials for use in antimicrobial face masks.

 
Department of Nano Fusion Technology, Pusan National University
Country: Korea
Nanomaterial: Carbon Nanotubes
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: ACS Applied Nano Materials
DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.1c01386
Article: Carbon Nanotube Mask Filters and Their Hydrophobic Barrier and Hyperthermic Antiviral Effects on SARS-CoV?2

This work fabricated an aerosol-synthesized network of single-walled CNTs and tested its effectiveness as a filter for face masks in blocking the saliva droplets and inactivating the virus.

 
Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology
Country: Bangladesh
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Environmental Research
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110294
Article: Prospect of biobased antiviral face mask to limit the coronavirus outbreak

The masks nanofiber membrane is fabricated from licorice root extract, which has antimicrobial properties.

 
EPFL Laboratory of Physics of Complex Matter
Country: Switzerland
Nanomaterial: Nanowires
Filtration Efficiency:
Publication: Advanced Functional Materials
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202004615
Article: Photocatalytic Nanowires?Based Air Filter: Towards Reusable Protective Masks

Researchers develop a reusable filter paper made from titanium dioxide nanowires that is capable of trapping and killing pathogens like the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

 
Guangzhou Institute of Advanced Technology
Country: PR China
Nanomaterial: Membrane
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%
Publication: Nanocomposites
DOI: 10.1080/20550324.2021.2008209
Article: New generation washable PES membrane face mask for virus filtration

A PES-based membrane with homogeneous sponge-like pore size membrane structure is demonstrated to improve virus filtration.

 
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Country: PR China
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Separation and Purification Technology
DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2018.11.063
Article: Charged PVDF multi-layer filters with enhanced filtration performance for filtering nano-aerosols

An electrostatically charged nanofiber filter that is able to filter nano-aerosols as small as 100nm. This characteristic confers the ability to filter viruses.

 
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Country: PR China
Nanomaterial:
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%
Publication: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01077
Article: Speaking-Induced Charge-Laden Face Masks with Durable Protectiveness and Wearing Breathability

The charge-laden melt-blown filtration layer includes a piezoelectric polymer. Charges are initiated by mechanical and acoustic energy during daily speaking.

 
Industrial Research Institute of Nonwovens and Technical Textiles, Qingdao University
Country: PR China
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%
Publication: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.07.021
Article: Electret nanofibrous membrane with enhanced filtration performance and wearing comfortability for face mask

Researchers developed a a highly breathable and thermal comfort filter medium consisting of electret polyethersulfone / barium titanate nanofibrous membrane (PES/BaTiO3 NFM) integrated on a nonwoven polypropylene substrate.

 
Jadavpur University
Country: India
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Nano Energy
DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105387
Article: Design of a self-powered triboelectric face mask

The proposed mask is designed with multilayer filters, in which the inner three layers act as a triboelectric filter and the outer one as an electrocution layer.

 
K. S. Rangasamy College of Technology
Country: India
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: materialstoday: Proceedings
DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2021.02.367
Article: Encapsulation of bioactive agent (Curcumin, Moringa) in electrospun nanofibers - Some insights into recent research trends

This review opens up a new horizon in possible textile applications especially, an active layer of bioactive agent (Curcumin and Moringa) loaded nanofibrous fabrics-based facemasks for day to day life.

 
Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)
Country: Korea
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: 98%
Publication: Advanced Science
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202003155
Article: Biodegradable, Efficient, and Breathable Multi-Use Face Mask Filter

A biodegradable, moisture-resistant, highly breathable, and high-performance fibrous mask filter with two biodegradable microfiber and nanofiber mats that are integrated into a Janus membrane filter and then coated by cationically charged chitosan nanowhiskers.

 
LUT University
Country: Finland
Nanomaterial: MOF
Filtration Efficiency: >95%
Publication: Microporous and Mesoporous Materials
DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2022.111760
Article: Modification of face masks with zeolite imidazolate framework-8: A tool for hindering the spread of COVID-19 infection

The mask's ZIF-8-based coating exhibited high antimicrobial properties against S. Aureus and high antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2's surrogates.

 
Nara Medical University
Country: Japan
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Scientific Reports
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09402-7
Article: Inactivation of various variant types of SARS-CoV-2 by indoor-light-sensitive TiO2-based photocatalyst

This paper reports that copper oxide nanoclusters grafted with titanium dioxide (CuxO/TiO2) inactivated the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

 
Northeastern University
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >98%
Publication: ACS Nano
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c03249
Article: Photocatalytic Rejuvenation Enabled Self-Sanitizing, Reusable, and Biodegradable Masks against COVID-19

The mask was fabricated by the electrospinning of PVA, PEO, and cellulose nanofiber, followed by esterification and the deposition of a nitrogen-doped TiO2 and TiO2 mixture.

 
Nortwestern University
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: MOF
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Immobilized Regenerable Active Chlorine within a Zirconium-Based MOF Textile Composite to Eliminate
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c08576
Article: Immobilized Regenerable Active Chlorine within a Zirconium-Based MOF Textile Composite to Eliminate Biological and Chemical Threats

The MOF/fiber composite exhibits rapid activity against SARS-CoV-2 and both gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) and gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus).

 
Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanofiber
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Nano Letters
DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b00579
Article: Thermal Management in Nano-fiber-Based Face Mask

The mask contains a system of nanofiber on nanoporous polyethylene (fiber/nanoPE) where the nanofibers with strong particulate matter (PM) adhesion ensure high PM capture efficiency (99.6% for PM2.5) with low pressure drop and the nanoPE substrate with high-infrared (IR) transparency (92.1%, weighted based on human body radiation) results in effective radiative cooling.

 
State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Peking University
Country: PR China
Nanomaterial: Carbon Nanotubes
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Journal of Aerosol Science
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2014.10.003
Article: Airflow resistance and bio-filtering performance of carbon nanotube filters and current facepiece respirators

This study investigates airflow resistance of carbon nanotube-based filtration material and compares its bioaerosol filtering performances with commercially available facepiece respirators.

 
State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials
Country: PR China
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Chemical Engineering Journal
DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.136043
Article: Reusable Cu2-xS-modified masks with infrared lamp-driven antibacterial and antiviral activity for real-time personal protection

A novel low-cost surgical mask where Cu2-xS nanocrystals are in-situ grown on a spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics layer from surgical masks as the substrate. The mask is suitable for photothermal sterilization in a short time (6 minutes).

 
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Country: PR China
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: n.a.
Publication: Separation and Purification Technology
DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.116886
Article: Electrostatic charged nanofiber filter for filtering airborne novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and nano-aerosols

A novel charged PVDF nanofiber filter technology to effectively capture the fast-spreading, deadly airborne coronavirus with the target aerosol size set at 100 nm (nano-aerosol).

 
University of Cambridge
Country: UK
Nanomaterial: Carbon Nanotubes
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%
Publication: Carbon
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2021.07.004
Article: Filtration of viral aerosols via a hybrid carbon nanotube active filter

Researchers report the development of macroscopic carbon nanotube air filters synthesized using ultra-thin carbon nanotube electrically conductive membranes, mechanically supported by a porous polyester backing.

 
University of Connecticut
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanofibers
Filtration Efficiency: >99%
Publication: Advanced Functional Materials
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202113040
Article: Piezoelectric Nanofiber Membrane for Reusable, Stable, and Highly Functional Face Mask Filter with Long-Term Biodegradability

A reusable, self-sustaining, highly effective, and humidity-resistant air filtration membrane with excellent particle-removal efficiency, based on highly controllable and stable piezoelectric electrospun poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibers.

 
University of Illinois at Chicago
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: nanowires
Filtration Efficiency:
Publication: ACS Nano
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c11041
Article: A Breathable, Reusable, and Zero-Power Smart Face Mask for Wireless Cough and Mask-Wearing Monitoring

Researchers have developed a multifunctional wireless smart mask, capable of identifying mask-wearing conditions and monitoring the frequency and pattern of coughing.

 
University of Minnesota
Country: USA
Nanomaterial: Nanoparticles
Filtration Efficiency: 99.9%
Publication: Scientific Reports
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03771-1
Article: Durable nanocomposite face masks with high particulate filtration and rapid inactivation of coronaviruses

This work presents a novel nanocomposite synthesis approach, which allows zinc oxide nanoparticles to be grown within textile and face mask materials, including melt-blown polypropylene and nylon-cotton.