Wearable textile with laser-induced hydrophilic porous graphene oxide coating for rapid adsorption of volatile organic compounds

As the global epidemic eases today (2023), the high economic and environmental costs brought about by excessive production of masks are further disrupting global society. This study explores a unique approach to endow common commercial surgical masks with efficient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorption properties as well as recyclability. A near-infrared laser irradiation method was developed for the formation of laser-induced porous graphene oxide coating on polypropylene masks. Graphene oxide coating can absorb laser energy and "explode", thus realizing the transition from smooth coating to porous coating. This mask with porous graphene oxide coating can be directly used as an excellent VOCs filter material. The laser irradiation process in the air environment endows the porous coating with rich oxygen-containing groups, which makes the mask highly hydrophilic and breathable. In addition, the excellent absorbance of graphene oxide coating enables it to rapidly heat up under solar, allowing the mask to be desorbed and reused. Compared to traditional powder spraying methods, the coating of porous graphene oxide is more stable as a whole. This method can not only solve the problem of excess masks after the epidemic, but also provide a new idea for wearable protective textiles for VOCs.