Use of Allophane as Face Mask Filter for Coronaviruses (Sars-Cov-2)

Abstract

The traditional mouth cover masks can be made by hand. But with the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic, these masks have special requirements and we will have to use these until at least 2022. Therefore, the current technological problem is what must be the appropriate filter nanomaterial (cuprum, zinc, zeolite or Allophane) to absorb and/or destroy coronaviruses. In addition, the preparation of this specific purpose mask must be certified, easy to manufacture and inexpensive. Taking these requirements into account, there is a suitable nanomaterial called Allophane, which has active centers of silicon and aluminum (Si / Al), which rapidly absorb micro droplets and nanodrops of water [3, 5] nm. Coronaviruses are microscopically embedded in water droplets. To build an absorbent filter that also destroys coronaviruses, we can use some organic surfactant in optimal proportions and that works cooperatively with Allophane. The physicochemical properties of natural Allophane were studied. For the characterization, analytical techniques were used: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Chemisorption and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). In addition, the Navier Stokes 3D equations were studied, which allow us studying molecular dynamics contributing substantively to chemical kinetics describing the process of absorption of water and decomposition of water + coronavirus.