Production of antifungal, antibacterial nanofiber coated surgical masks containing silver and essential oil

In this research, 6 solutions were obtained by adding silver nitrate, pelargonium oil, eucalyptus oil, citronella oil and cypress oil to cellulose acetate (CA) solution. Nanofibers were produced from these solutions using the electrospinning method. The meltblown layer, which is the middle layer of the surgical mask, is covered with the produced nanofibers. Morphological analysis of nanofibers was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The diameter, homogeneity and distribution of nanofibers were determined with the Fibraquant program. Fibraquant program analysis results showed that nanofiber diameters were between 100 nm and 800 nm. The initially prepared solutions were characterized by FTIR analysis, antifungal and antibacterial activity. Characteristic peaks were obtained for cellulose acetate, silver and essential oils in FTIR analysis. According to the results of antibacterial analysis against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, cellulose solution with silver nitrate and eucalyptus oil was found to have the highest antibacterial activity. According to the antifungal test performed on Aspergillus flavus and penicillium notatum mushrooms, cellulose acetate solution with silver nitrate and pelargonium oil was found to have the highest antifungal activity.