Self-Reporting and Photothermally Enhanced Rapid Bacterial Killing on a Laser-Induced Graphene Mask
Libei Huang, Siyu Xu, Zhaoyu Wang, Ke Xue, Jianjun Su, Yun Mi Song, Sijie Chen, Chunlei Zhu, Ben Zhong Tang, Ruquan Ye
Abstract
Wearing face masks has been widely recommended to contain respiratory virus diseases, yet the improper use of masks poses a threat of jeopardizing the protection effect. We here identified the bacteria viability on common face masks and found that the majority of bacteria (90%) remain alive after 8 h. Using laser-induced graphene (LIG), the inhibition rate improves to ∼81%. Combined with the photothermal effect, 99.998% bacterial killing efficiency could be attained within 10 min. For aerosolized bacteria, LIG also showed superior antibacterial capacity. The LIG can be converted from a diversity of carbon precursors including biomaterials, which eases the supply stress and environmental pressure amid an outbreak. In addition, self-reporting of mask conditions is feasible using the moisture-induced electricity from gradient graphene. Our results improve the safe use of masks and benefit the environment.