Engineering laminated paper for SARS-CoV-2 medical gowns

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 222; p. 123643
• Main Authors: Hossain, Laila, Maliha, Maisha, Barajas-Ledesma, Ruth, Kim, Jinhee, Putera, Kevin, Subedi, Dinesh, Tanner, Joanne, Barr, Jeremy J., Banaszak Holl, Mark M., Garnier, Gil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 22.04.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Agile manufacturing; Barrier material; Bleaching; Coating morphology; Coatings; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease transmission; Homogeneity; Lamination; Medical gown; Medical personnel; Newsprint; Pandemics; PE laminated Paper; Personal protective equipment; Phages; Polyethylene; Polyethylenes; Polyolefins; Protective equipment; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Vapor resistance; Viral diseases; Virus protection; Viruses; Water vapor; COVID-19; Barrier material; Coating morphology; Medical gown; PE laminated Paper; Virus protection
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123643

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for diversity in the market and alternative materials for personal protective equipment (PPE). Paper has high coatability for tunable barrier performance, and an agile production process, making it a potential substitute for polyolefin-derived PPE materials. Bleached and newsprint papers were laminated with polyethylene (PE) coatings of different thicknesses, and characterised for their potential use as medical gowns for healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients. Thicker PE lamination improved coating homogeneity and water vapour resistance. 49 GSM bleached paper with 16 GSM PE coating showed high tensile and seam strength, and low water vapour transmission rate (WVTR). Phi-X174 bacteriophage testing revealed that paper laminated with 15 GSM coating hinders virus penetration. This research demonstrates that PE laminated paper is a promising material for low cost viral protective gowns. [Display omitted] •Polyethylene (PE) laminated bleached paper was assessed as a medical gown material.•High tensile and seam strength were achieved for the laminate composites.•Viral penetration was hindered by a 49 GSM paper sheet with a 15 GSM PE coating.•The laminated paper met medical gown material testing standards.•Prototypes were praised by medical professionals when worn in a clinical setting.