Transparent Antibacterial Nanofiber Air Filters with Highly Efficient Moisture Resistance for Sustainable Particulate Matter Capture

Abstract

Summary Particulate matter (PM) pollution has posed great threat to human health. This calls for versatile protection or treatment devices that are both efficient and easy to use. Herein, we have rationally designed a novel reusable bilayer fibrous filter consisting of electrospun superhydrophobic poly(methylmethacrylate)/polydimethylsiloxane fibers as the barrier for moisture ingression and superhydrophilic chitosan fibers for a PM capture efficiency of over 96% at optical transmittance of 86%. Furthermore, it could realize a high-level PM 2.5 capture efficiency (>98.23%) even after 100-h test during extremely hazardous air environment (PM 2.5 > 3,000 μg m −3 ) and retain a high PM removal efficiency (PM 2.5 > 98.39%) after five washing cycles. Besides, such membranes possessed high antibacterial activity at 96.5% for E. coli and 95.2% for Staphylococcus aureus . As a proof-of-concept study, continuous particle removing has been successfully demonstrated on a window screen to prevent particle pollution.

Electrospun ultrafine fibers for advanced face masks

“…The unique structure of nanofibers allows it to show a particulate matter(PM) filtration efficiency of over 96% with high optical transmittance of 86% ( Fig. 10 a) [ 138 ]. This transparent nano-filter is also reusable with the ability to retain a high PM removal efficiency (PM 2.5 > 98.39%) after five washing cycles.…”

Preparation of Ag Doped Keratin/PA6 Nanofiber Membrane with Enhanced Air Filtration and Antimicrobial Properties

“…These results indicate that Ag.10%-Ker.30%/PA6 nanofiber membranes could be used to prepare bioprotective filter materials. Meanwhile, we simulated the working environment of air filtration membranes and tested the bacterial inhibition rate of the composite membrane (Ag.10%-Ker.30%/PA6) before and after continuous operation for 120 h under the air filtration condition (PM 2.5 > 1500 μg/m 3 ) to evaluate the durable antibacterial activity of Ag.10%-Ker.30%/PA6 nanofiber membranes [41]. The nanofiber membranes of Ag.10%-Ker.30%/PA6 maintained a high level of antibacterial effectiveness, and the bacterial inhibition rate against S. aureus ( E. coli ) decreased from 99.62% (99.10%) to 96.7% (95.4%).…”

Universal masking during COVID-19 pandemic: Can textile engineering help public health? Narrative review of the evidence

“…This can lead to significant breathing resistance ( Roberge et al, 2012 ) and increase heart rate, thermal stress, thus creating a subjective perception of discomfort ( Li et al, 2005 ) for the wearer. When respiratory droplets accumulate on the surface of super-hydrophobic fiber filters, they form bigger droplets and subsequently can roll away, minimizing pressure drop ( Liu et al, 2019 ) and improving filtration efficiency. Benefits of an antimicrobial textile layer …”

“…Secondly, there is an abundance of knowledge on chemical compounds, such as quaternary ammonium salts, silver ions ( Verma and Maheshwari, 2019 ) and plant based biochemicals such as quercetin ( Maalik et al, 2014 ), eucalyptus oil, or tea tree oil ( Usachev et al, 2013 ) as well as the bio-based chitosan ( Liu et al, 2019 ) that can confer anti-viral properties to fabrics. We believe that subject to passing human toxicity and ecotoxicity tests, textile manufacturing and processing industries can potentially engineer some of these compounds in fabrics and make these available at reasonable prices to the general public.…”