Multifunctional nanofibrous air filter for entrapment of particulate matter formaldehyde and microbial contaminants

Abstract

Although wide ranges of fibrous air filters are available, tailoring mechanically robust, and multifunctional (adsorb toxic gases, potent antibacterial, anti-corrosive, etc.) polymeric nanofibers have presented unusual potential for use in many novel filtration applications. Among the several nanofibre production techniques that have evolved over the past several years, electrospinning is considered the most promising, simple and highly productive process. The polymeric electrospun nanofibrous membranes with large surface area to volume ratio, and adjustable porous structure, have attracted increased attention in air filtration applications. Most of the air filter membranes fail to address the easily collapsing cavity structure of nanofibrous membrane. In this work, as an innovative extension of classical electrospinning procedure, coaxial electrospinning is used to produce high strength fiber with core-shell structures. Additionally, nanofibres with well-defined surface properties can be produced by chemical/physical activation using various activation agents/dopants based on the available functional groups. This ability to modify the surface properties of nanofibrous membrane, serve as an effective platform for toxic gas adsorption, and other related filtration applications. newline