Preparation and Characterization of Electrospun PAN-CuCl2 Composite Nanofiber Membranes with a Special Net Structure for High-Performance Air Filters

Abstract

The growing issue of particulate matter (PM) air pollution has given rise to extensive research into the development of high-performance air filters recently. As the core of air filters, various types of electrospun nanofiber membranes have been fabricated and developed. With the novel poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN)-CuCl2 composite nanofiber membranes as the filter membranes, we demonstrate the high PM removal efficiency exceeding 99% and can last a long service time. The nanoscale morphological characteristics of nanofiber membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and mercury intrusion porosimeter. It is found that they appear to have a special net structure at specific CuCl2 concentrations, which substantially improves PM removal efficiency. We anticipate the PAN-CuCl2 composite nanofiber membranes will be expected to effectively solve some pressing problems in air filtration.

Advanced Electrospinning Technology Applied to Polymer-Based Sensors in Energy and Environmental Applications

“…Similarly, the impact of air quality on the human living environment is particularly important. Air pollution mainly includes pollution caused by small particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants in the air that affect the environment [ 3 , 4 ]. With the increasing amount of air pollution, the World Health Organization points out that the number of diseases caused by air pollution is constantly increasing every year [ 5 ].…”