Functional Platform for Rapid Capture and Removal of Nanoparticles

A sensor for detecting a presence of nanoparticles, the sensor comprising:

• a wearable item comprising a plurality of threads;
• and
• a plurality of ligand molecules attached to at least some of the plurality of threads, wherein the ligand is selected such that binding of a nanoparticle to a ligand molecule oxidizes the ligand and produces a color change;
• wherein a color change indicates a presence of nanoparticles.

A system for selectively filtering nanoparticles, the system comprising:

• a wearable item comprising a plurality of threads;
• and
• a plurality of ligand molecules attached to at least some of the plurality of threads, wherein the ligand is selected such that binding of a nanoparticle to a ligand molecule oxidizes the ligand and produces a color change;
• wherein a color change indicates a presence of nanoparticles.

A system for capturing and removing nanoparticles from a surface, the system comprising a fabric platform modified with:

• (i) a ligand having o-dihydroxy functionalities;
• (ii) ascorbic acid;
• and/or (iii) catechol;
• wherein the fabric platform is configured such that wiping the surface with the platform binds nanoparticles on the surface to the modified fabric via the ascorbic acid or catechol.

A disposable respiratory protective mask configured to minimize a worker's exposure to environmental nanoparticles, the mask comprising a platform modified with:

• (i) a ligand having o-dihydroxy functionalities;
• (ii) ascorbic acid;
• and/or (iii) catechol;
• wherein the platform is configured such that exposure to environmental nanoparticles causes the nanoparticles to bind to the modified platform via the ascorbic acid or catechol.