Wilson Talhão Antunes

Dr. Wilson Talhão Antunes

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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22 December 2021 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SCSofia M. Costa
Sofia M. Costa
LPLuísa Pacheco
Luísa Pacheco
WAWilson Talhão Antunes
Wilson Talhão Antunes
RVRicardo Vieira
Ricardo Vieira
NBNuno V. do Bem
Nuno V. do Bem
DFDiana Ferreira
Diana Ferreira
Due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for disposable facemasks has become a global issue. Unfortunately, the use of these products has negative effects on the environment, and therefore, the use of biodegradable materials is a powerful strategy to overcome this challenge. Aligned with this concept, in this work, biodegradable facemasks were developed using poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) polymer and cotton natural fibers. The filter layer was produced using an electrospinning technique, since electrospun membranes present remarkable characteristics for air filtration. The electrospun membranes were functionalized with different nanoparticles (NPs), including silver (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and magnesium oxide (MgO), in order to include new properties, namely antibacterial effect. The developed membranes were characterized by FESEM, EDS, ATR-FTIR, GSDR and TGA, which confirmed the successful impregnation of NPs onto PCL membranes. The antibacterial effect and filtration efficiency were assessed, with the PCL/MgO NPs membrane presenting better results, showing inhibition zone diameters of 25.3 and 13.5 mm against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively, and filtration efficiency of 99.4%. Three facemask prototypes were developed, and their filtration efficiency, air permeability and thermal comfort were evaluated. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of PCL/NPs electrospun membranes to act as an active and biodegradable filter layer in facemasks.

17 May 2022
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
Gabriel PestanaGabriel Pestana
Gabriel Pestana
LCLuís M. Carvalho
Luís M. Carvalho
JGJúlio Gouveia-Carvalho
Júlio Gouveia-Carvalho
WAWilson Talhão Antunes
Wilson Talhão Antunes