# Controllable Preparation and Filtration Performance of New Composite Materials for Mining Masks

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new mining mask made with graphene-based materials that filters dust more effectively than traditional masks, improving worker safety.

## Contribution

A new graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide composite material for mining masks with superior filtration performance is developed and tested.

## Key findings

- The reduction group (rGO polypropylene composite material) showed the best filtration performance across different flow rates.
- At 1.0 m3/h, the reduction group achieved high PM10 (95.61%) and PM2.5 (95.01%) filtration efficiency, meeting relevant standards.
- The reduction group's filtration performance was significantly better than the control and oxidation groups at various flow rates.

## Abstract

The effective isolation of high-concentration dust during mining and transportation processes is a hot issue of occupational health concern for workers. Based on the characteristics of graphene and its derivatives, a new type of mining mask made of graphene oxide polypropylene composite material (GO polypropylene composite material) and reduced graphene oxide polypropylene composite material (rGO polypropylene composite material) was prepared using the direct impregnation method. Moreover, particle filtration performance tests were conducted under different gas flow conditions. The results showed that, at the same concentration, the reduction group (rGO polypropylene composite material) had more compliance indicators, and the comprehensive performance ranking was as follows: reduction group (rGO polypropylene composite material) > oxidation group (GO polypropylene composite material) > control group (polypropylene composite material). The reduction group with a concentration of 0.3 g/L showed the best overall performance. At a flow rate of 1.0 m3/h, the filtration efficiency of PM10 (95.61%) and PM2.5 (95.01%) met the relevant standards, while PM1.0 (94.88%) was close to the standard threshold (with a difference of only −0.12%), significantly better than the control (PM10, 93.39%) and the oxidation (PM10, 95.01%) groups. Moreover, at various flow rates, its particulate matter concentration was significantly lower than that for the oxidation and control groups. Overall, it meets the requirements of providing ideal filtration effects under different work intensities (low, medium, and high flow rates), thus providing strong technical support for individual protection of mine workers and a theoretical basis and practical guidance for reducing occupational diseases caused by dust exposure in mines.