Flexible and Lightweight Carbon Nanotube Composite Filter for Particulate Matter Air Filtration

Abstract

Particulate Matter (PM) has become an important source of air pollution. We proposed a flexible and lightweight carbon nanotube (CNT) composite air filter for PM removal. The developed CNT filtering layers were fabricated using a floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD) synthesis process and then combined with conventional filter fabrics to make a composite air filter. Filtration performance for CNT filtering layer alone and composited with other conventional filter fabrics for particles size 0.3 μm to 2.5 μm was investigated in this study. The CNT composite filter is highly hydrophobic, making it suitable for humid environments. The CNT composite filter with two layers of tissue CNT performed best and achieved a filtration efficiency over 90% with a modest pressure drop of ~290 Pa for a particle size of 2.5 μm. This CNT composite filter was tested over multiple cycles to ensure its reusability. The developed filter is very light weight and flexible and can be incorporated into textiles for wearable applications or used as a room filter.

Advancements in Nanoparticle Deposition Techniques for Diverse Substrates: A Review

“…Particulate matter is a critical concern when addressing air pollution. In one study, a compound consisting of lightweight and flexible carbon nanotubes is proposed for use as filters in particulate matter removal [ 132 ]. CVD with a floating catalyst is implemented to obtain carbon nanotubes for their application as particulate matter filters.…”

“…The composite filter composed of carbon nanotubes exhibited an efficiency of over 90% for particles with a size of 2.5 µm. It is a lightweight and flexible filter suitable for textile applications or room filters [ 132 ].…”