Protective coverings and dry wipes comprising metal nanoparticle agglomerates for infection control applications and formation and use thereof
Protective coverings having metal nanoparticle agglomerates adhered thereto may be applied to a surface subject to infection. The protective coverings may comprise a base substrate, and metal nanoparticle agglomerates thereof adhered to the base substrate. The base substrate may be configured for attachment to the surface subject to infection. The surface subject to infection may be a mask or facial covering in a particular example. The base substrate may be conformable to the surface subject to infection and optionally include mechanical connectors and/or a contact adhesive upon at least one side thereof to promote surface attachment. The protective coverings may be applied to a contaminated touch surface as a temporary protective layer until disinfection has taken place. Alternately, the protective coverings may be used in routine infection control procedures. The protective coverings may be formed by applying a spray formulation comprising metal nanoparticle agglomerates upon a suitable base substrate.
1 . A protective covering comprising:
a base substrate; and
a plurality of metal nanoparticle agglomerates comprising a plurality of metal nanoparticles having a surfactant coating thereon adhered to the base substrate; and
an attachment promotor selected from the group consisting of an adhesive and a mechanical connector;
wherein a loading of the metal nanoparticles agglomerates on a surface of the base substrate includes a coverage density ranging from 0.03 mg/in 2 to 10 mg/in 2 ;
wherein the metal nanoparticle agglomerates range from about 1 micron to about 35 microns in size; and
wherein the base substrate is configured for attachment to a mask or facial covering with the attachment promotor.
2 . The protective covering of claim 1 , wherein the base substrate is a fabric comprising a plurality of fibers.
3 . The protective covering of claim 2 , wherein the fabric is pleated and further comprises overlapping pleated layers.
4 . The protective covering of claim 1 , wherein the metal nanoparticles within the metal nanoparticle agglomerates comprise copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, or any combination thereof.
5 . The protective covering of claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of the metal nanoparticles range from about 50 nm to about 250 nm in size.
6 . The protective covering of claim 1 , wherein the metal nanoparticle agglomerates are adhered to the base substrate via an adhesive layer.
7 . The protective covering of claim 1 , wherein the metal nanoparticles agglomerates are adhered to a first side of the base substrate and a second side of the base substrate is adapted to contact the mask or facial covering.
8 . The protective coating of claim 7 , wherein the metal nanoparticle agglomerates are adhered to the first side of the base substrate via an adhesive layer.
9 . The protective covering of claim 7 , wherein the attachment promotor is a contact adhesive located upon the second side of the base substrate.
10 . A mask or facial covering having the protective covering of claim 1 attached thereto.
11 . A method comprising:
providing a protective covering comprising a base substrate, a plurality of metal nanoparticle agglomerates comprising a plurality of metal nanoparticles having a surfactant coating thereon adhered to the base substrate, and an attachment promotor selected from the group consisting of an adhesive and a mechanical connector;
wherein the metal nanoparticle agglomerates are present upon the base substrate to promote infection control;
wherein a loading of the metal nanoparticles agglomerates on a surface of the base substrate includes a coverage density ranging from 0.03 mg/in 2 to 10 mg/in 2 ;
wherein the metal nanoparticle agglomerates range from about 1 micron to about 35 microns in size; and
attaching the protective covering to a mask or facial covering using the attachment promotor.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the metal nanoparticles within the metal nanoparticle agglomerates comprise copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, or any combination thereof.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein at least a majority of the metal nanoparticles range from about 50 nm to about 250 nm in size.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the metal nanoparticle agglomerates are adhered to the base substrate via an adhesive layer.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein providing the protective covering further comprises:
providing the base substrate configured for attachment to the mask or facial covering; and
depositing the plurality of metal nanoparticle agglomerates upon the base substrate such that the metal nanoparticle agglomerates become adhered thereto;
wherein the metal nanoparticle agglomerates are deposited upon the base substrate using a spray formulation comprising an aerosolizable fluid medium having metal nanoparticle agglomerates dispersed therein.