Antiepileptic drug-loaded and multifunctional iron oxide@silica@gelatin nanoparticles for acid-triggered drug delivery.

The current study developed an innovative design for the production of smart multifunctional core-double shell superparamagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) with a focus on the development of a pH-responsive drug delivery system tailored for the controlled release of Phenytoin, accompanied by real-time monitoring capabilities. In this regard, the ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide@silica NPs (IO@Si MNPs) were synthesized and then coated with a layer of gelatin containing Phenytoin as an antiepileptic drug. The precise saturation magnetization value for the resultant NPs was established at 26 emu g-1. The polymeric shell showed a pH-sensitive behavior with the capacity to regulate the release of encapsulated drug under neutral pH conditions, simultaneously, releasing more amount of the drug in a simulated tumorous-epileptic acidic condition. The NPs showed an average size of 41.04 nm, which is in the desired size range facilitating entry through the blood-brain barrier. The values of drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were determined to be 2.01 and 10.05%, respectively. Moreover, kinetic studies revealed a Fickian diffusion process of Phenytoin release, and diffusional exponent values based on the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation were achieved at pH 7.4 and pH 6.3. The synthesized NPs did not show any cytotoxicity. Consequently, this new design offers a faster release of PHT at the site of a tumor in response to a change in pH, which is essential to prevent epileptic attacks.

Facile encapsulation of cyanoacrylate-based bioadhesive by electrospray method and investigation of the process parameters.

Polymer microcapsules containing cyanoacrylates have represented a promising option to develop self-healing biomaterials. This study aims to develop an electrospray method for the preparation of capsules using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as the encapsulant and ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate (EC) as the encapsulate. It also aims to study the effect of the electrospray process parameters on the size and morphology of the capsules. The capsules were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Moreover, the effects of electrospray process parameters on the size were investigated by Taguchi experimental design. FTIR and TGA approved the presence of both PMMA and EC without further reaction. FE-SEM micrograph demonstrated that an appropriate choice of solvents, utilizing an appropriate PMMA:EC ratio and sufficient PMMA concentration are critical factors to produce capsules dominantly with an intact and spherical morphology. Utilizing various flow rates (0.3-0.5 ml/h) and applied voltage (18-26 kV), capsules were obtained with a 600-1000 nm size range. At constantly applied voltages, the increase in flow rate increased the capsule size up to 40% (ANOVA, p ≤ 0.05), while at constant flow rates, the increase in applied voltage reduced the average capsule size by 3.4-26% (ANOVA, p ≤ 0.05). The results from the Taguchi design represented the significance of solution flow rate, applied voltage, and solution concentration. It was shown that the most effective parameter on the size of capsules is flow rate. This research demonstrated that electrospray can be utilized as a convenient method for the preparation of sub-micron PMMA capsules containing EC. Furthermore, the morphology of the capsules is dominated by solvents, PMMA concentration, and PMMA:EC ratio, while the average size of the capsules can be altered by adjusting the flow rate and applied voltage of the electrospray process.

Pyrolysis of Automotive Shredder Residue (ASR): Thermogravimetry, In-Situ Synchrotron IR and Gas-Phase IR of Polymeric Components.

This article reports the characterisation of pyrolysis of automotive shredder residue using in situ synchrotron IR, gas-phase IR, and thermal analyses to explore if the automotive shredder residue can be converted into value-added products. When heating to ~600 °C at different heating rates, thermal analyses suggested one- to two-stage pyrolysis. Transformations in the first stage, at lower temperatures, were attributed to the degradation of carbonyl, hydroxyl, or carboxyl functional stabilisers (aldehyde and ether impurities, additives, and stabilisers in the ASR). The second stage transformations, at higher temperatures, were attributed to the thermal degradation of the polymer char. Simultaneous thermal analyses and gas-phase IR spectroscopy confirmed the evolution of the gases (alkanes (CH4), CO2, and moisture). The synchrotron IR data have demonstrated that a high heating rate (such as 150 °C/min) results in an incomplete conversion of ASRs unless sufficient time is provided. The thermogravimetry data fit the linearised multistage kinetic model at different heating rates. The activation energy of reactions varied between 24.98 and 124.94 kJ/mol, indicating a surface-controlled reaction exhibiting high activation energy during the initial stages and a diffusion and mass transfer control showing lower activation energy at the final stages. The corresponding frequency factors were in the range of 3.34 × 1013-5.68 × 101 mg-1/min for different pyrolysis stages. The evolution of the functional groups decreased with an increase in the heating rate.

Surface coated ZnO powder as flame retardant for wood: A short communication.

In the present study, the ability of a coating of zinc oxide (ZnO) powder to improve the fire-safety of wood exposed to radiative heat flux was examined, focusing on the ignition time of the wood. To test ZnO's efficiency on the wood substrate, two different amounts of ZnO (0.5 and 1 g ZnO per dm2) were applied to the wood surface and exposed to radiative heat from a cone calorimeter wherein a pristine piece of wood with no ZnO treatment was taken as control. The experiments were conducted at three different irradiation levels i.e., 20, 35, and 50 kWm-2. The results showed that applying ZnO on the surface of the wood significantly increased the ignition time (TTI). For the three different heat fluxes, using 0.5 g ZnO per dm2 coating on the wood surface increased the TTI by 26-33 %. Furthermore, the application of 1 g of ZnO per dm2 generated a TTI increment of 37-40 %. All three irradiation levels showed similar trends in TTI. The micrographs taken before and after combustion showed no significant disparity in the morphology of ZnO. The agglomerated ZnO particles on the wood surface remained intact after combustion. This study demonstrates a facile method of using ZnO to delay the ignition of wood. This could potentially impart fire-safety to wooden structures/façades in wildland-urban interfaces and elsewhere by reducing flame spread.

High Leach-Resistant Fire-Retardant Modified Pine Wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) by In Situ Phosphorylation and Carbamylation.

The exterior application of fire-retardant (FR) timber necessitates it to have high durability because of the possibility to be exposed to rainfall. In this study, water-leaching resistance of FR wood has been imparted by grafting phosphate and carbamate groups of the water-soluble FR additives ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP)/urea onto the hydroxyl groups of wood polymers via vacuum-pressure impregnation, followed by drying/heating in hot air. A darker and more reddish wood surface was observed after the modification. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, solid-state 13C cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CP-MAS NMR), and direct-excitation 31P MAS NMR suggested the formation of C-O-P covalent bonds and urethane chemical bridges. Scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry suggested the diffusion of ADP/urea into the cell wall. The gas evolution analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry revealed a potential grafting reaction mechanism starting with the thermal decomposition of urea. Thermal behavior showed that the FR-modified wood lowered the main decomposition temperature and promoted the formation of char residues at elevated temperatures. The FR activity was preserved even after an extensive water-leaching test, confirmed by the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimetry. The reduction of fire hazards was achieved through the increase of the LOI to above 80%, reduction of 30% of the peak heat release rate (pHRR2), reduction of smoke production, and a longer ignition time. The modulus of elasticity of FR-modified wood increased by 40% without significantly decreasing the modulus of rupture.

Synthesis of TiO2 nanogel composite for highly efficient self-healing epoxy coating.

INTRODUCTION: Organic coatings are the most effective and facile methods of protecting steel against corrosion, which shields it from direct contact with oxygen and moisture. However, they are inherently defective and susceptible to damage, which allows the penetration of the corrosive media into the underlying substrates. Self-healing coatings were developed to address this shortcoming. OBJECTIVE: The current research aims to develop a coating with superior self-healing ability via embedment of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanogel composite (NC) in a commercial epoxy. METHODS: The TiO2 NC was prepared by efficient dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles in copolymer gel of acrylamide (AAm) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) with the help of 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (MPS). The chemical structure, morphology, and thermal properties of the modified and functionalized nanoparticles were assessed by infrared spectroscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. In addition, TiO2 nanoparticles, nano-TiO2 functionalized monomer (NTFM), and NTFM/AAm/AMPS in different weight percentages were incorporated into epoxy resin to prepare a self-healing coating. RESULTS: The results confirmed the successful fabrication of the NC. In addition, the incorporation of 1 wt% NTFM/AAm/AMPS led to homogenous dispersion, enhanced anti-corrosive and self-healing performance with the healing efficiencies of 100% and 98%, which were determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization methods, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prepared NC was sensitive towards salt concentration, pH, which aids the quick reaction of the TiO2 NC to corrosive ions, once the cracks occur. In addition, this is a unique feature compared to the other self-healing mechanisms, especially, the encapsulation of healing agents, which can be effective as long as the healing agent is present.

A study of the influence of current ramp rate on the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.

Durability and reliability are the key factors that prevent fuel cells from successful implementation in automotive sector. Dynamic load change is a common and frequent condition that the fuel cell has to undergo in automotive applications. Fuel cells are more sensitive to changes in load conditions and degrade based on load variation representing idling, rated power, and high power operating conditions. To examine the influence of dynamic load step on the fuel cell performance, two similar cells of active 25 cm2 was tested under two different load step for the same dynamic load cycle. The main difference in dynamic load cycle 2 was the ramp rate which was fixed as 0.1, 0.3, and 0.25 A/cm2/s for 0.2, 0.6, and 1.0 A/cm2 respectively. To investigate the degradative effects, polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy were used. The results indicated that the degradation rate increased in both dynamic load cycles but however the impact of load change was comparatively minimal in dynamic load cycle 2. The total degradation in performance was 20.67% and 10.72% in dynamic load cycles 1 and 2 respectively. Fuel cell performance degraded in a manner that was consistent with the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cross-sectional analysis of field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results prove that the degradation rate is dependent on the load step and the number of load cycles. Severe catalyst degradation and delamination were observed in fuel cells operated under dynamic load cycle 1.

A Comprehensive Review of Self-Healing Polymer, Metal, and Ceramic Matrix Composites and Their Modeling Aspects for Aerospace Applications.

Composites can be divided into three groups based on their matrix materials, namely polymer, metal and ceramic. Composite materials fail due to micro cracks. Repairing is complex and almost impossible if cracks appear on the surface and interior, which minimizes reliability and material life. In order to save the material from failure and prolong its lifetime without compromising mechanical properties, self-healing is one of the emerging and best techniques. The studies to address the advantages and challenges of self-healing properties of different matrix materials are very limited; however, this review addresses all three different groups of composites. Self-healing composites are fabricated to heal cracks, prevent any obstructed failure, and improve the lifetime of structures. They can self-diagnose their structure after being affected by external forces and repair damages and cracks to a certain degree. This review aims to provide information on the recent developments and prospects of self-healing composites and their applications in various fields such as aerospace, automobiles etc. Fabrication and characterization techniques as well as intrinsic and extrinsic self-healing techniques are discussed based on the latest achievements, including microcapsule embedment, fibers embedment, and vascular networks self-healing.

Multi-objective optimization and prediction of surface roughness and printing time in FFF printed ABS polymer.

In this study, fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing parameters were optimized to improve the surface quality and reduce the printing time of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) polymer using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), it is a statistical analysis tool. A multi-objective optimization technique was employed to predict the optimum process parameter values using particle swarm optimization (PSO) and response surface methodology (RSM) techniques. Printing time and surface roughness were analyzed as a function of layer thickness, printing speed and nozzle temperature. A central composite design was preferred by employing the RSM method, and experiments were carried out as per the design of experiments (DoE). To understand the relationship between the identified input parameters and the output responses, several mathematical models were developed. After validating the accuracy of the developed regression model, these models were then coupled with PSO and RSM to predict the optimum parameter values. Moreover, the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) ranking method was employed to compare the RSM and PSO to identify the best optimization technique. WASPAS ranking method shows PSO has finer optimal values [printing speed of 125.6 mm/sec, nozzle temperature of 221 °C and layer thickness of 0.29 mm] than the RSM method. The optimum values were compared with the experimental results. Predicted parameter values through the PSO method showed high surface quality for the type of the surfaces, i.e., the surface roughness value of flat upper and down surfaces is approximately 3.92 µm, and this value for the other surfaces is lower, which is approximately 1.78 µm, at a minimum printing time of 24 min.

Cutting-Edge Progress in Stimuli-Responsive Bioadhesives: From Synthesis to Clinical Applications.

With the advent of "intelligent" materials, the design of smart bioadhesives responding to chemical, physical, or biological stimuli has been widely developed in biomedical applications to minimize the risk of wounds reopening, chronic pain, and inflammation. Intelligent bioadhesives are free-flowing liquid solutions passing through a phase shift in the physiological environment due to stimuli such as light, temperature, pH, and electric field. They possess great merits, such as ease to access and the ability to sustained release as well as the spatial transfer of a biomolecule with reduced side effects. Tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, regenerative biomedicine, cancer therapy, and other fields have benefited from smart bioadhesives. Recently, many disciplinary attempts have been performed to promote the functionality of smart bioadhesives and discover innovative compositions. However, according to our knowledge, the development of multifunctional bioadhesives for various biomedical applications has not been adequately explored. This review aims to summarize the most recent cutting-edge strategies (years 2015-2021) developed for stimuli-sensitive bioadhesives responding to external stimuli. We first focus on five primary categories of stimuli-responsive bioadhesive systems (pH, thermal, light, electric field, and biomolecules), their properties, and limitations. Following the introduction of principal criteria for smart bioadhesives, their performances are discussed, and certain smart polymeric materials employed in their creation in 2015 are studied. Finally, advantages, disadvantages, and future directions regarding smart bioadhesives for biomedical applications are surveyed.

Fire Retardancy and Leaching Resistance of Furfurylated Pine Wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) Treated with Guanyl-Urea Phosphate.

Guanyl-urea phosphate (GUP) was introduced into furfurylated wood in order to improve fire retardancy. Modified wood was produced via vacuum-pressure impregnation of the GUP-furfuryl alcohol (FA) aqueous solution, which was then polymerized at elevated temperature. The water leaching resistance of the treated wood was tested according to European standard EN 84, while the leached water was analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS). This new type of furfurylated wood was further characterized in the laboratory by evaluating its morphology and elemental composition using optical microscopy and electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX). The chemical functionality was detected using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the fire resistance was tested using cone calorimetry. The dimensional stability was evaluated in wet-dry soaking cycle tests, along with the mechanical properties, such as the Brinell hardness and bending strength. The fire retardancy of the modified furfurylated wood indicated that the flammability of wood can be depressed to some extent by introducing GUP. This was reflected in an observed reduction in heat release rate (HRR2) from 454.8 to 264.9 kW/m2, without a reduction in the material properties. In addition, this leaching-resistant furfurylated wood exhibited higher fire retardancy compared to conventional furfurylated wood. A potential method for producing fire-retardant treated furfurylated wood stable to water exposure has been suggested.

Fire Behavior of Wood-Based Composite Materials.

Wood-based composites such as wood plastic composites (WPC) are emerging as a sustainable and excellent performance materials consisting of wood reinforced with polymer matrix with a variety of applications in construction industries. In this context, wood-based composite materials used in construction industries have witnessed a vigorous growth, leading to a great production activity. However, the main setbacks are their high flammability during fires. To address this issue, flame retardants are utilized to improve the performance of fire properties as well as the flame retardancy of WPC material. In this review, flame retardants employed during manufacturing process with their mechanical properties designed to achieve an enhanced flame retardancy were examined. The addition of flame retardants and manufacturing techniques applied were found to be an optimum condition to improve fire resistance and mechanical properties. The review focuses on the manufacturing techniques, applications, mechanical properties and flammability studies of wood fiber/flour polymer/plastics composites materials. Various flame retardant of WPCs and summary of future prospects were also highlighted.

Special Issue "Recent Advances in Flame-Retardant Polymers and Composites".

The flame-retardant performance of materials has become an increasingly crucial factor for society across a broad range of applications in aircraft, automobiles, civil infrastructure, and consumer products [...].

Optimisation of Mechanical Properties in Saw-Dust/Woven-Jute Fibre/Polyester Structural Composites under Liquid Nitrogen Environment Using Response Surface Methodology.

Natural fibre-based composites are replacing traditional materials in a wide range of structural applications that are used in different environments. Natural fibres suffer from thermal shocks, which affects the use of these composites in cold environment. Considering these, a goal was set in the present research to investigate the impact of cryogenic conditions on natural fibre composites. Composites were developed using polyester as matrix and jute-fibre and waste Teak saw-dust as reinforcement and filler, respectively. The effects of six parameters, viz., density of saw-dust, weight ratio of saw-dust, grade of woven-jute, number of jute layers, duration of cryogenic treatment of composite and duration of alkaline treatment of fibres on the mechanical properties of the composite was evaluated with an objective to maximise hardness, tensile, impact and flexural strengths. Taguchi method was used to design the experiments and response-surface methodology was used to model, predict and plot interactive surface plots. Results indicated that the duration of cryogenic treatment had a significant effect on mechanical properties, which was better only up to 60 min. The models were found to be statistically significant. The study concluded that saw-dust of density 300 kg/m3 used as a filler with a weight ratio of 13 wt.% and a reinforcement of a single layer of woven-jute-fibre mat of grade 250 gsm subjected to alkaline treatment for 4 h in a composite that has undergone 45 min of cryogenic treatment presented an improvement of 64% in impact strength, ca. 21% in flexural strength, ca. 158% in tensile strength and ca. 28% in hardness.

Efficient Improvement in Fracture Toughness of Laminated Composite by Interleaving Functionalized Nanofibers.

Functionalized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were used in the present investigation to enhance the fracture behavior of carbon epoxy composite in order to prevent delamination if any crack propagates in the resin rich area. The main intent of this investigation was to analyze the efficiency of PAN nanofiber as a reinforcing agent for the carbon fiber-based epoxy structural composite. The composites were fabricated with stacked unidirectional carbon fibers and the PAN powder was functionalized with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and then used as reinforcement. The fabricated composites' fracture behavior was analyzed through a double cantilever beam test and the energy release rate of the composites was investigated. The neat PAN and functionalized PAN-reinforced samples had an 18% and a 50% increase in fracture energy, respectively, compared to the control composite. In addition, the samples reinforced with functionalized PAN nanofibers had 27% higher interlaminar strength compared to neat PAN-reinforced composite, implying more efficient stress transformation as well as stress distribution from the matrix phase (resin-rich area) to the reinforcement phase (carbon/phase) of the composites. The enhancement of fracture toughness provides an opportunity to alleviate the prevalent issues in laminated composites for structural operations and facilitate their adoption in industries for critical applications.

Phase Formation during Heating of Amorphous Nickel-Based BNi-3 for Joining of Dissimilar Cobalt-Based Superalloys.

Phase transformations and the melting range of the interlayer BNi-3 were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, which showed three stages of crystallization during heating. There were three exothermic peaks that indicated crystallization in the solid state. The cobalt-based X-45 and FSX-414 superalloys were bonded with interlayer BNi-3 at a constant holding time of 10 min with bonding temperatures of 1010, 1050, 1100, and 1150 °C using a vacuum diffusion brazing process. Examination of microstructural changes in the base metals with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray spectroscopy based on the energy distribution showed that increasing temperature caused a solidification mode, such that the bonding centerline at 1010 °C/10 min included a γ-solid solution, Ni3B, Ni6Si2B, and Ni3Si. The athermally solidified zone of the transient liquid phase (TLP)-bonded sample at 1050 °C/10 min involved a γ-solid solution, Ni3B, CrB, Ni6Si2B, and Ni3Si. Finally, isothermal solidification was completed within 10 min at 1150 °C. The diffusion-affected zones on both sides had three distinct zones: a coarse block precipitation zone, a fine and needle-like mixed-precipitation zone, and a needle-like precipitation zone. By increasing the bonding temperature, the diffusion-affected zone became wider and led to dissolution.

Experimental Investigation of Thrust Force, Delamination and Surface Roughness in Drilling Hybrid Structural Composites.

Filled hybrid composites are widely used in various structural applications where machining is critical. Hence, it is essential to understand the performance of the fibre composites' machining behaviour. As such, a new hybrid structural composite was fabricated with redmud as filler and sisal fibre as reinforcement in polyester matrix. The composite was then tested for its drilling performance. A comprehensive drilling experiment was conducted using Taguchi L27 orthogonal array. The effect of the drill tool point angle, the cutting speed, the feed rate on thrust force, delamination, and burr formation were analysed for producing quality holes. The significance of each parameter was analysed, and the experimental outcomes revealed some important findings in the context of the drilling behaviour of sisal fibre/polyester composites with redmud as a filler. Spindle speed contributed 39% in affecting the thrust force, while the feed rate had the maximum influence of ca. 38% in affecting delamination.

Impact Response and Damage Tolerance of Hybrid Glass/Kevlar-Fibre Epoxy Structural Composites.

The present study is aimed at investigating the effect of hybridisation on Kevlar/E-Glass based epoxy composite laminate structures. Composites with 3 mm thickness and 16 layers of fibre (14 layers of E-glass centred and 2 outer layers of Kevlar) were fabricated using compression moulding technique. The fibre orientation of the Kevlar layers had 3 variations (0, 45 and 60°), whereas the E-glass fibre layers were maintained at 0° orientation. Tensile, flexural, impact (Charpy and Izod), interlaminar shear strength and ballistic impact tests were conducted. The ballistic test was performed using a gas gun with spherical hard body projectiles at the projectile velocity of 170 m/s. The pre- and post-impact velocities of the projectiles were measured using a high-speed camera. The energy absorbed by the composite laminates was further reported during the ballistic test, and a computerised tomographic scan was used to analyse the impact damage. The composites with 45° fibre orientation of Kevlar fibres showed better tensile strength, flexural strength, Charpy impact strength, and energy absorption. The energy absorbed by the composites with 45° fibre orientation was 58.68 J, which was 14% and 22% higher than the 0° and 60° oriented composites.

The Life Cycle Assessment for Polylactic Acid (PLA) to Make It a Low-Carbon Material.

The massive plastic production worldwide leads to a global concern for the pollution made by the plastic wastes and the environmental issues associated with them. One of the best solutions is replacing the fossil-based plastics with bioplastics. Bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) are biodegradable materials with less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. PLA is a biopolymer produced from natural resources with good mechanical and chemical properties, therefore, it is used widely in packaging, agriculture, and biomedical industries. PLA products mostly end up in landfills or composting. In this review paper, the existing life cycle assessments (LCA) for PLA were comprehensively reviewed and classified. According to the LCAs, the energy and materials used in the whole life cycle of PLA were reported. Finally, the GHG emissions of PLA in each stage of its life cycle, including feedstock acquisition and conversion, manufacturing of PLA products, the PLA applications, and the end of life (EoL) options, were described. The most energy-intensive stage in the life cycle of PLA is its conversion. By optimizing the conversion process of PLA, it is possible to make it a low-carbon material with less dependence on energy sources.

Potential natural polymer-based nanofibres for the development of facemasks in countering viral outbreaks.

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has rapidly increased the demand for facemasks as a measure to reduce the rapid spread of the pathogen. Throughout the pandemic, some countries such as Italy had a monthly demand of ca. 90 million facemasks. Domestic mask manufacturers are capable of manufacturing 8 million masks each week, although the demand was 40 million per week during March 2020. This dramatic increase has contributed to a spike in the generation of facemask waste. Facemasks are often manufactured with synthetic materials that are non-biodegradable, and their increased usage and improper disposal are raising environmental concerns. Consequently, there is a strong interest for developing biodegradable facemasks made with for example, renewable nanofibres. A range of natural polymer-based nanofibres has been studied for their potential to be used in air filter applications. This review article examines potential natural polymer-based nanofibres along with their filtration and antimicrobial capabilities for developing biodegradable facemask that will promote a cleaner production.