Design of biodegradable cellulose filtration material with high efficiency and breathability.

Using respiratory protective equipment is one of the relevant preventive measures for infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and for various occupational respiratory hazards. Because experienced discomfort may result in a decrease in the utilization of respirators, it is important to enhance the material properties to resolve suboptimal usage. We combined several technologies to produce a filtration material that met requirements set by a cross-disciplinary interview study on the usability of protective equipment.

Spinning Approach for Cellulose Fiber Yarn Using a Deep Eutectic Solvent and an Inclined Channel.

We developed a spinning approach for a dope produced by treating softwood pulp with a deep eutectic solvent (DES). The DES enables formation of a sufficiently viscous spinnable gel-like suspension of fibers, which solidifies upon the removal of the DES. This solidification, however, requires a longer time compared to most conventional wet spinning processes.

Structural and nanomechanical properties of paperboard coatings studied by peak force tapping atomic force microscopy.

Paper coating formulations containing starch, latex, and clay were applied to paperboard and have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy and Peak Force tapping atomic force microscopy. A special focus has been on the measurement of the variation of the surface topography and surface material properties with a nanometer scaled spatial resolution. The effects of coating composition and drying conditions were investigated.