Rita V. Costa
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Rita V. Costa has a total of 15 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Alexandra C. Pinto
Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
1 shared publication - Ana Catarina Vale
Fibrenamics, Institute of Innovation on Fiber-Based Materials and Composites, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
1 shared publication - Carlos Mota
Fibrenamics, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
1 shared publication - Diana Sousa
CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
1 shared publication - Fernanda Gomes
CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO–Laboratório de Investigação em Biofilmes Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
1 shared publication - Fernando Cunha
Fibrenamics, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
Comparison of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Integration into Non-Woven Fabrics Using Different Functionalisation Methods for Prospective Application as Active Facemasks
The development of advanced facemasks stands out as a paramount priority in enhancing healthcare preparedness. In this work, different polypropylene non-woven fabrics (NWF) were characterised regarding their structural, physicochemical and comfort-related properties. The selected NWF for the intermediate layer was functionalised with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) 0.3 and 1.2wt% using three different methods: electrospinning, dip-pad-dry and exhaustion. After the confirmation of ZnO NP content and distribution within the textile fibres by morphological and chemical analysis, the samples were evaluated regarding their antimicrobial properties. The functionalised fabrics obtained via dip-pad-dry unveiled the most promising data, with 0.017 ± 0.013wt% ZnO NPs being mostly located at the fibre’s surface and capable of total eradication of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli colonies within the tested 24 h (ISO 22196 standard), as well as significantly contributing (**** p < 0.0001) to the growth inhibition of the bacteriophage MS2, a surrogate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (ISO 18184 standard). A three-layered structure was assembled and thermoformed to obtain facemasks combining the previously chosen NWF, and its resulting antimicrobial capacity, filtration efficiency and breathability (NP EN ISO 149) were assessed. The developed three-layered and multiscaled fibrous structures with antimicrobial capacities hold immense potential as active individual protection facemasks.
Open AccessComparison of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Integration into Non-Woven Fabrics Using Different Functionalisation Methods for Prospective Application as Active Facemasks
The development of advanced facemasks stands out as a paramount priority in enhancing healthcare preparedness. In this work, different polypropylene non-woven fabrics (NWF) were characterised regarding their structural, physicochemical and comfort-related properties. The selected NWF for the intermediate layer was functionalised with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) 0.3 and 1.2wt% using three different methods: electrospinning, dip-pad-dry and exhaustion. After the confirmation of ZnO NP content and distribution within the textile fibres by morphological and chemical analysis, the samples were evaluated regarding their antimicrobial properties. The functionalised fabrics obtained via dip-pad-dry unveiled the most promising data, with 0.017 ± 0.013wt% ZnO NPs being mostly located at the fibre’s surface and capable of total eradication of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli colonies within the tested 24 h (ISO 22196 standard), as well as significantly contributing (**** p < 0.0001) to the growth inhibition of the bacteriophage MS2, a surrogate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (ISO 18184 standard). A three-layered structure was assembled and thermoformed to obtain facemasks combining the previously chosen NWF, and its resulting antimicrobial capacity, filtration efficiency and breathability (NP EN ISO 149) were assessed. The developed three-layered and multiscaled fibrous structures with antimicrobial capacities hold immense potential as active individual protection facemasks.