A composite material includes a carbon fiber bundle including a plurality of continuous carbon fibers; and a structure, formed on each of the carbon fibers, including a plurality of carbon nanotubes and having a network structure in which the carbon nanotubes are in direct contact with each other and in which the carbon nanotubes directly adhere to surfaces of the carbon fibers. The carbon nanotubes have a bent shape including a bent portion, and a thickness of the structure is within a range of 50 nm to 200 nm.

A manufacturing method for an antibacterial fiber includes the following steps. A dipping step is performed to soak a conductive fiber in a solution, in which the solution includes an ionic compound, and the ionic compound includes a metal cation. An oxidation step is performed by using the conductive fiber as an anode, such that an antibacterial material produced by the solution is adhered to a surface of the conductive fiber, in which the antibacterial material includes a metal oxide.

A manufacturing method for an antibacterial fiber includes the following steps. A dipping step is performed to soak a conductive fiber in a solution, in which the solution includes an ionic compound, and the ionic compound includes a metal cation. An oxidation step is performed by using the conductive fiber as an anode, such that an antibacterial material produced by the solution is adhered to a surface of the conductive fiber, in which the antibacterial material includes a metal oxide.

Charged polymeric webs, such as electret webs, include a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The additives are substituted benzothiazole compounds or substituted benzoxazole compounds. The substituent groups may be hydroxyl, mercapto, or aromatic groups. The electret webs may be a non-woven fibrous web or a film. The electret webs are suitable for use as filter media.

Provided is a plasma device for applying a cold atmospheric plasma to a surface to be treated, in particular on textiles, leather and/or plastic fibers. The plasma device includes a housing, a plasma source in the housing, and a voltage source in the housing for applying a voltage to the plasma source, wherein the plasma device is configured to enable activation of the plasma source and/Oor to selectively switch the plasma source on only if a distance between the plasma source and the surface to be treated is within a predetermined distance.

Charged polymeric webs, such as electret webs, include a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The charge-enhancing additive is a dual-function charge-enhancing additive that enhances the charge of the electret and also has anti-microbial properties. The additives are substituted-benzimidazole or substituted-benzothiazole compounds. The electret webs may be a non-woven fibrous web or a film. The electret webs are suitable for use as filter media.

Charged polymeric webs, such as electret webs, include a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The additives are substituted heterocyclic thiolate salts. The heterocyclic thiolate salt has 2 nitrogen groups and a third group that may be an NH, N—NH.sub.2, O, or S group. The substituent group is an aromatic or heterocyclic aromatic group. The electret webs may be a non-woven fibrous web or a film. The electret webs are suitable for use as filter media.

Charged polymeric webs, such as electret webs, include a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The additives are substituted heterocyclic thiolate salts. The heterocyclic thiolate salt has 2 nitrogen groups and a third group that may be an NH, N—NH.sub.2, O, or S group. The substituent group is an aromatic or heterocyclic aromatic group. The electret webs may be a non-woven fibrous web or a film. The electret webs are suitable for use as filter media.

A method for altering adhesion properties of a surface of a substrate by a coating, comprising the steps of: a) ionizing a plasma gas at low temperature and at atmospheric pressure, thereby creating a plasma with a plasma temperature of at most 50° C.; b) introducing a precursor into a plasma gas afterglow of the plasma; c) subjecting the surface of the substrate to the plasma including the precursor, thereby forming a coating onto the surface. The plasma gas is essentially completely comprised of inert gas. The coating alters the adhesion properties of the surface.

Described herein is an antiviral face mask and methods of use thereof to inactivate a virus in contact with the face mask. The face mask may include a fibrous material with silicon nitride powder impregnated therein and a layer surrounding the fibrous material. In some embodiments, silicon nitride is present in the fibrous material at a concentration of about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. %.