Preparation and properties of Nano-TiO2 photo-catalytic silk respirator paper

In order to obtain paper respirator with dust resistance performance and antibacterial property, silk photo-catalytic respirator paper was made by loading nano-TiO₂ photo-catalyst on silk based respirator paper. The pore structure, surface topography and TiO₂ distribution, and the filtration performance of silk respirator paper were studied by using a pore size meter (PSM), a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and a filter tester, respectively. In addition, the antibacterial property of silk respirator paper was also investigated. The results showed that the pore structure and filtration performance of silk respirator paper could be controlled by changing the degree of beating of silk pulp and the basis weight of silk paper. Silk respirator paper of 45 g/m² made from silk pulp having beating degree of 85 ^oSR had high filtration efficiency and appropriate filtration resistance. Nano-TiO₂ particles were mainly attached to the surface of silk paper, and the loading of nano-TiO₂ photo-catalyst resulted in a slight decrease in filtration resistance and filtration efficiency of silk respirator paper. It, however, improved the antibacterial property of silk respirator paper effectively.