Application of Electrospun Nonwoven Fibers in Air Filters

Abstract

Air filtration has seen a sizable increase in the global market this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nanofiber nonwoven mats are able to reach certain efficiencies with a low-pressure drop, have a very high surface area to volume ratio, filter out submicron particulates, and can customize the fiber material to better suit its purpose. Although electrospinning nonwoven mats have been very well studied and documented there are not many papers that combine them. This review touches on the various ways to manufacture nonwoven mats for use as an air filter, with an emphasis on electrospinning, the mechanisms by which the fibrous nonwoven air filter stops particles passing through, and ways that the nonwoven mats can be altered by morphology, structure, and material parameters. Metallic, ceramic, and organic nanoparticle coatings, as well as electrospinning solutions with these same materials and their properties and effects of air filtration, are explored.

Antimicrobial Biomaterial on Sutures, Bandages and Face Masks with Potential for Infection Control

“…These compounds exert antiviral and even anti-corona-virus activities [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Such properties enable their use in wound treatment on sutures, bandages and wound dressing materials, as well as surgical face masks [ 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 ]. Coating or incorporating phytochemicals into surgical face masks can reduce the demand during supply shortages.…”

“…Recycling mitigates the economic burden for the end user, as well as the production and waste disposal processes [ 73 ]. An increasing number of investigations on antimicrobial materials showcase different approaches for sustainable, re-usable or even biodegradable face masks [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ]. Cinnamic acid and its derivatives are increasingly used to design novel antimicrobial biomaterials within polymeric matrices [ 80 , 81 , 82 ].…”

Violacein-embedded nanofiber filters with antiviral and antibacterial activities

“…As a polar solvent, DMF allows homogeneous solvation of VIO, enabling direct mixing with the electrospinning polymer solution. Also, the hydrophobic PAN has repeating unites with large dipole moments (∼ 3.6 D) [35] , [36] , providing additional advantages such as good compatibility with VIO, strong moisture resistance, and efficient PM capturing capability. However, note that increasing the concentration of VIO in excess makes the electrospinning process unstable and disrupts the continuous outflow of the electrospinning solution through the needles, leading to the formation of beads and rough morphologies.…”

Air Plasma Functionalization of Electrospun Nanofibers for Skin Tissue Engineering

“…Resultant scaffolds from different nanofibers have shown specific properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio, high porosity, and long lengths. Notably, they have been used in various products such as artificial tissues, biomedical products, electronics, sensors, and nanocomposites [11][12][13][14][15]. In the electrospinning process, different biomaterials can be utilized with effective mechanical properties in order to adapt and functionalize a biological environment [13][14][15].…”

“…Notably, they have been used in various products such as artificial tissues, biomedical products, electronics, sensors, and nanocomposites [11][12][13][14][15]. In the electrospinning process, different biomaterials can be utilized with effective mechanical properties in order to adapt and functionalize a biological environment [13][14][15]. On the other hand, surface modification of electrospun products has been an attractive method for increasing multifunctionality and biocompatibility properties [10].…”