Needleless electrospun mats based on polyamidoamine dendritic polymers for encapsulation of essential oils in personal respiratory equipment

Abstract

The ever-increasing concern of air pollution triggered by broad-spreading contagious disease, bioterrorism, and release of dust particles in the air is targeted to be addressed in this paper by developing a novel personal respiratory equipment (PRE). For this purpose, polyamidoamine dendritic polymers (PAMAMs) were utilized not only for encapsulating tea tree essential oil (TEO), an antimicrobial material, but also for battling against perilous bioaerosols. Furthermore, TEO is encapsulated inside both PAMAM and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospun nanofibers. Results clarified that electrospun samples containing both TEO and PAMAM possess thinner nanofibers with 440 nm reduction in their average diameter, and pursuantly higher filtration efficiency against both NaCl and paraffin oil mist particles about 98% and well above 99%, respectively. Herein, the electrospinning method is employed first for high porosity, enhanced surface area to volume ratio, and interconnected pores of resulted nanofibers, which are strongly useful in capturing the dust and allowing more air to flow and pass through, and creating a good air circulation. Second, the synergistic effect of using both electrospinning and PAMAM as the host molecules is also a promising approach for addressing the volatility of fragrances by producing a controlled release of TEO.