Breathing‐Driven Self‐Powered Pyroelectric ZnO Integrated Face Mask for Bioprotection. Issue 2 (17th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Moon‐Ju; Song, Zhiquan; Lee, Chang Kyu; Yun, Tae Gyeong; Noh, Joo‐Yoon; Park, Mi‐Kyung; Yong, Dongeun; Kang, Min‐Jung; Pyun, Jae‐Chul
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 19:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-11-17
• Subjects: antibacterial activity -- antiviral activity -- human breathing -- pre‐strain effect -- pyrocatalytic processes -- self‐powered pyroelectric devices -- ZnO nanorod‐modified paper composites; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202200712
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: Rapid spread of infectious diseases is a global threat and has an adverse impact on human health, livelihood, and economic stability, as manifested in the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Even though people wear a face mask as protective equipment, direct disinfection of the pathogens is barely feasible, which thereby urges the development of biocidal agents. Meanwhile, repetitive respiration generates temperature variation wherein the heat is regrettably wasted. Herein, a biocidal ZnO nanorod‐modified paper (ZNR‐paper) composite that is 1) integrated on a face mask, 2) harvests waste breathing‐driven thermal energy, 3) facilitates the pyrocatalytic production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ultimately 4) exhibits antibacterial and antiviral performance is proposed. Furthermore, in situ generated compressive/tensile strain of the composite by being attached to a curved mask is investigated for high pyroelectricity. The anisotropic ZNR distortion in the bent composite is verified with changes in ZnO bond lengths and OZnO bond angles in a ZnO4 tetrahedron, resulting in an increased polarization state and possibly contributing to the following pyroelectricity. The enhanced pyroelectric behavior is demonstrated by efficient ROS production and notable bioprotection. This study exploring the pre‐strain effect on the pyroelectricity of ZNR‐paper might provide new insights into the piezo‐/pyroelectric material‐based applications. Abstract : A ZnO nanorod‐modified paper (ZNR‐paper) integrated on a face mask has the potential in antibacterial and antiviral effects whose biocidal functionality is readily achieved by human breathing. Breathing‐driven temperature variations in the ZNR generate a pyroelectric voltage, which induces a pyrocatalytic process producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thereby results in notable bioprotection.