• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2010

In this paper, we describe a new method to form polymer thin films, in which carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are homogeneously distributed so that they can strengthen the mechanical property of resulting polymer film. To do so, we first homogeneously mixed CNTs with polymer in a DMF solvent. With the assistance of ultrasonic nebulizer, the polymer/CNT solution was then aerosolized into micro-sized droplets and finally turned into solidified polymer/CNT composite particles by gas-phase drying process. As the results of SEM and TEM analysis, CNTs were found to be homogeneously immobilized in the polymer matrix particles due to rapid drying process in the gas phase. For comparison purpose, (i) the polymer/CNTs composite particles prepared by aerosol processing method and (ii) polymer/CNTs sheets prepared by simple solution-evaporation method were employed to form polymer/CNTs composite thin films using a hot press. As the result, the aerosol processing of composite particles was found to be a much more effective method to form homogeneously distributed-CNTs in the polymer matrix thin film.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.457-466
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• 2023

Background: During hot environment work tasks with whole-body enclosed anti-bioaerosol suit, the combined effect of heavy sweating and exhaled hot humid air may cause the N95 medical respirator to saturate with water/sweat (i.e., water-blocking). Methods: 32 young male subjects with different body mass indexes (BMI) in whole-body protection (N95 medical respirator + one-piece protective suit + head covering + protective face screen + gloves + shoe covers) were asked to simulate waste collecting from each isolated room in a seven-story building at 27-28℃, and the weight, inhalation resistance (R_f), and aerosol penetration of the respirator before worn and after water-blocking were analyzed. Results: All subjects reported water-blocking asphyxia of the N95 respirators within 36-67 min of the task. When water-blocking occurred, the R_f and 10-200 nm total aerosol penetration (P_t) of the respirators reached up to 1270-1810 Pa and 17.3-23.3%, respectively, which were 10 and 8 times of that before wearing. The most penetration particle size of the respirators increased from 49-65 nm before worn to 115-154 nm under water-blocking condition, and the corresponding maximum size-dependent aerosol penetration increased from 2.5-3.5% to 20-27%. With the increase of BMI, the water-blocking occurrence time firstly increased then reduced, while the R_f, P_t, and absorbed water all increased significantly. Conclusions: This study reveals respirator water-blocking and its serious negative impacts on respiratory protection. When performing moderate-to-high-load tasks with whole-body protection in a hot environment, it is recommended that respirator be replaced with a new one at least every hour to avoid water-blocking asphyxia.