I am working on a self-inspired project to design a cheap mask for my community.
So far the problem with the common masks is that they just stop a percentage of materials (droplets) to get in but it doesn't kill the virus, so there's still a high chance of getting infected through touching the masks. I was thinking about adding a filter (tissue-like material soaked in sanitizers/alcohol) to something like a scuba mask for people who don't have PPE but still have to go outside.
The filter should somewhat purify the air (I thought about unidirectional valves to separate breathe-in and out air but think that would be costly and currently I don't know any cheap solution for such a mechanism).
Some links that support soap water/ hand sanitizers can kill/neutralize covid-19 virus.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/coronavirus-soap-covid-19-virus-hygiene/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763533
The problem is that alcohol or soap can be toxic and breathing it continuously can result in some health issues. [Is soap water vapor also harmful to breathe in?]
Now, I was thinking about adding another internal filter to reduce the alcohol level/ soap water content by drying it out. I know silica gel can absorb water but will it work on soap-water and alcohol and is it okay to breathe in after air has been passed through silica? Can salt be used?
As this is a medical network, I just need some suggestions if this is even feasible and will help at all or not (without causing any medical health problems). What would be the most appropriate set of chemical agents that I can place in filter 1 and filter 2 so that the air is purified, the viruses are killed/neutralized, the air is breathable without any health hazard for a 6-8 hours period. (The filters will be replaced after one use if needed)
I would appreciate it if you can link any papers/references so I can get a better idea to back my concept.
I'm not interested to reinvent the wheel, just refer me to the existing filtration system which may be somewhat applicable to me so that I can start my studies, that is enough, as I'm not from this background that's what I need to know to get started. No one is asking to make an invention here, for me this seems to be general knowledge for someone in the field of chemistry, toxins; correct me if I'm wrong. if I was, I wouldn't have posted this on a public forum in the first place, hope you understand.