Polyimide Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge for Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Trapped in a Polypropylene Melt-Blown Filter

Surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) was used to inactivate the infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) trapped in a polypropylene (PP) melt-blown filter. We used a dielectric barrier made of polyimide films with hexagonal holes through which air flowed. In a cylindrical wind tunnel, the SDBD device supplied reactive oxygen species such as ozone to the SARS-CoV-2 trapped in the PP filter. A plaque assay showed that SDBD at an ozone concentration of approximately 51.6 ppm and exposure time of 30 min induced more than 99.78% reduction for filter-adhered SARS-CoV-2. A carbon catalyst after SDBD effectively reduced ozone exhaust below 0.05 ppm. The combination of SDBD, PP filter, and catalyst could be a promising way to decrease the risk of secondary infection due to indoor air purifiers.