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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Natural Fibrous Materials as Eco-Friendly Air Filters
ClearEnhanced Filtration Efficiency of Natural Materials with the Addition of Electrospun Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) Fibres
Researchers developed enhanced air filtration materials by combining natural fibers with electrospun PVDF-HFP nanofibers, achieving improved particulate filtration efficiency while reducing reliance on single-use plastic masks that contribute to environmental pollution.
Performance Spectrum of Home-Compostable Biopolymer Fibers Compared to a Petrochemical Alternative
Researchers compared home-compostable biopolymer fibers to conventional petrochemical alternatives, evaluating their mechanical performance and degradability to assess whether biobased materials can serve as viable substitutes that reduce microplastic pollution.
Fabrication of microplastic-free biomass-based masks: Enhanced multi-functionality with all-natural fibers
Researchers developed a new biodegradable face mask made entirely from natural plant and animal fibers, eliminating the microplastic shedding associated with conventional disposable masks. The mask achieved 95.9% filtration efficiency, strong antibacterial performance against common bacteria, and could even detect ammonia levels in breath for health monitoring. This microplastic-free design offers a more sustainable alternative to standard surgical masks.
Rice Bran-Based Bioplastics: Effects of Biopolymer Fractions on Their Mechanical, Functional and Microstructural Properties
This study developed bioplastics from rice bran — a by-product of rice milling — by extracting oil and fiber fractions and testing how different bran compositions affected the mechanical and structural properties of the resulting materials. Creating functional bioplastics from agricultural waste streams could help replace petroleum-based plastics that generate persistent microplastic pollution.
Development of a Layer Made of Natural Fibers to Improve the Ecological Performance of the Face Mask Type II
This study developed a natural nonwoven layer made from flax and cotton fibers to replace one of the three polypropylene layers in medical face masks. Replacing synthetic polymer layers in single-use masks reduces the amount of polypropylene microplastics released when discarded masks degrade in the environment.
Aerosol Filtration Testing of Fabrics for Development of Reusable Face Masks
Researchers tested the aerosol filtration performance of over 300 fabrics and layered fabric combinations for use as reusable face masks, finding that layered materials and hydrophobic coatings significantly improve filtration efficiency while maintaining breathability. The work provides practical guidance for designing effective non-disposable masks — an important consideration given that disposable mask waste, including microplastic-releasing synthetic fibers, became a major pollution concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evaluation of biofilter performance with alternative local biomedia in pilot scale recirculating aquaculture systems
Researchers compared five locally available natural biofilter media against commercial plastic media in recirculating aquaculture systems, finding that some natural alternatives performed comparably while avoiding the cost and microplastic shedding associated with conventional plastic biofilter materials.
Properties and Applications of Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers – a Brief Review
This review examines the properties and applications of natural lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced composites as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fiber composites. Natural fiber composites are biodegradable alternatives to glass and carbon fiber plastics, which can generate microplastic debris when they break down.
Coaxyl-mask: Masker Ramah Lingkungan dari Sabut Kelapa (Cocos nucifera) dan Acetobacter xylinum
Researchers developed an eco-friendly disposable face mask called 'Coaxyl-mask' made from biocellulose fermented by Acetobacter xylinum and coconut husk (Cocos nucifera) fibers as a biodegradable alternative to conventional single-use plastic masks. The three-layer design incorporated water-repellent biocellulose films surrounding a coconut fiber filter, enabling rapid decomposition compared to standard disposable masks.
Characterization and Filtration Efficiency of Sustainable PLA Fibers Obtained via a Hybrid 3D-Printed/Electrospinning Technique
Researchers developed biodegradable polylactide (PLA) filter fibers using a hybrid 3D printing and electrospinning technique, intended as a sustainable alternative to single-use synthetic mask filters. The PLA filters showed acceptable filtration performance. Replacing petroleum-based filter materials with biodegradable ones could reduce the plastic pollution burden from pandemic-era personal protective equipment.
Development of reusable cloth mask with nanoparticle filtration efficiency greater than 95%
Researchers developed a reusable cloth mask with nanoparticle filtration efficiency greater than 95%, motivated by the environmental concerns of single-use surgical and respirator masks that shed microplastic fibers, evaluating the novel mask material's filtration performance against respiratory droplets and particulates.
Biodegradable Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes as Promising Candidates for the Development of Face Masks
This review examines the development of biodegradable electrospun nanofiber membranes as alternatives to conventional plastic face masks. Researchers summarize progress on materials including silk fibroin, polylactic acid, chitosan, cellulose, and zein, which can achieve strong filtration performance. The study highlights that degradable nanofiber filters offer a promising solution to reduce the environmental burden of plastic pollution from disposable face masks.
Recent Eco-Friendly Developments in Personal Protective Clothing Materials for Reducing Plastic Pollution: A Review
This review examined recent developments in eco-friendly personal protective clothing materials, evaluating bio-based and biodegradable fiber alternatives to conventional plastic-derived materials as a strategy to reduce plastic pollution from the personal protective equipment sector.
Mechanical and Air Permeability Performance of Novel Biobased Materials from Fungal Hyphae and Cellulose Fibers
This study developed novel bio-based protective materials from fungal hyphae and hemp cellulose fibers as sustainable alternatives to synthetic plastic-based personal protective equipment. Creating plastic-free alternatives for these applications could help reduce the microplastic pollution generated by the disposal of conventional PPE.
Bio-Adhesives Combined with Lotus Leaf Fiber to Prepare Bio-Composites for Substituting the Plastic Packaging Materials
Researchers prepared biodegradable composite packaging materials by combining natural bio-adhesives with lotus leaf fiber, testing mechanical and thermal properties. Natural fiber composites offer an alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging that would not generate persistent microplastic pollution.
Utilizing biofilm-enhanced coconut coir for microplastic removal in wastewater
Researchers found that coating coconut coir (a natural fiber) with biofilm — communities of microorganisms — boosted its ability to capture microplastics from wastewater, achieving 85–95% removal efficiency compared to 72–82% without biofilm. This low-cost, natural approach offers a promising sustainable filter material for tackling microplastic pollution in water treatment systems.
Environmental Properties of Coconut Fiber/Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch/Beeswax Hybrid Composites
This study developed biodegradable composite materials from thermoplastic starch, beeswax, and coconut fiber as an alternative to conventional plastic. Bio-based composites that replace petroleum-derived plastics help reduce the sources of microplastic pollution in soil and water.
Nanocellulose-based membrane as a potential material for high performance biodegradable aerosol respirators for SARS-CoV-2 prevention: a review
Researchers reviewed nanocellulose-based membrane materials as biodegradable alternatives to synthetic face mask filters, finding that cellulose nanofibers and nanocrystals offer promising filtration efficiency, biocompatibility, and environmental safety compared to single-use plastic-based respirators.
COVID-19: Performance study of microplastic inhalation risk posed by wearing masks
Researchers tested how different types of face masks affect the risk of inhaling microplastics during breathing. They found that while masks generally reduce exposure to granular microplastics, surgical, cotton, and activated carbon masks can increase fiber-like microplastic inhalation, and reusing disinfected masks raises particle exposure further. N95 masks offered the best protection, reducing spherical microplastic inhalation risk by over 25 times compared to wearing no mask.
A Critical Review on Reusable Face Coverings: Mechanism, Development, Factors, and Challenges
This review evaluated reusable face coverings as alternatives to disposable masks, examining filtration mechanisms, material developments, and key challenges including microplastic fiber shedding from textile-based coverings during use and washing.