University of Liverpool researchers have developed a new material that captures coronavirus particles and has been shown to significantly boost face mask efficiency to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.
In a paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the team revealed that the new material used in a conventional face mask was approximately 93% more efficient at capturing proteins including coronavirus proteins with little impact on breathability.
Professor Peter Myers and Dr Simon Maher are the University of Liverpool scientists behind the new material.
Professor Myers, a research leader in chromatography, had been collaborating with Dr Maher, a mass spectrometry expert, on high performance liquid chromatography processes where proteins “stick” to the surface of the chromatographic support materials.
Whilst COVID-19 is no longer a global threat to our health, this material has the potential to be used in a wide range of applications
- Professor Peter Myers
During the pandemic, Professor Myers had a ‘eureka’ moment when he realised that reversing this process would provide a way to absorb proteins, and specifically the protruding S1 spike protein which covers the outer lipid membrane of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Working together, the team from the University’s Department of Chemistry and Electrical Engineering and Electronics, “re-tuned” the surface of the spherical silica particle they used for chromatography to make the surface very “sticky” for the COVID-19 S1 spike protein.
At the same time, they increased the porosity of the silica particle to give it a very large surface area of 300 sqm per gram, which is approximately the same area as a tennis court. Furthermore, they increased the internal volume of the silica sphere to provide a large capacity to “capture” the virus.
The new material is at proof of concept stage and the team has shown it works in face masks in addition to air filters such as those used in aeroplanes, cars and air conditioning.
The group, which includes the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, also developed a method to attach the sticky particles onto the surface of a conventional face mask.
Professor Peter Myers said: “This proof of concept research has only scratched the surface and whilst COVID-19 is no longer a global threat to our health, this material has the potential to be used in a wide range of applications. Our research team is looking at developing more advanced “sticky” surfaces for a variety of bioaerosols including the new Covid variant BA.2.86 as well as influenzas and other deadly viruses such as Nipah.”
