Flexible isoporous air filters for high-efficiency particle capture

Air pollution with a high concentration level of particulate matter (PM) holds responsibility for an increasing number of fatalities worldwide. Inhalable and harmful airborne PM, generated by anthropogenic and natural sources, can act as carcinogenic agents and can also absorb and transfer with them...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer (Guilford) 2021-01, Vol.213, p.123278, Article 123278
Main Authors: Sabirova, Ainur, Wang, Shaofei, Falca, Gheorghe, Hong, Pei-Ying, Nunes, Suzana P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air conditioning
Air filters
Air filtration
Air pollution
Anthropogenic factors
Bacteria
Biocides
Carcinogenic agents
Carcinogens
Efficiency
Filters
Isoporous polymeric membranes
Membranes
Nanofabrication
Nanoparticles
Particulate emissions
Particulate matter
Silver
Ventilation
Viruses
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Air pollution with a high concentration level of particulate matter (PM) holds responsibility for an increasing number of fatalities worldwide. Inhalable and harmful airborne PM, generated by anthropogenic and natural sources, can act as carcinogenic agents and can also absorb and transfer with them viruses and bacteria. Stationary and automove filters, masks are part of our routine life. However, traditional fibrous air filters and improved high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA) suffer from several inevitable drawbacks, justifying the search for better alternatives. Herein, we present nanofabricated isoporous polymeric membranes with of PM2.5 and PM10 capture efficiency as high as 99.9%. The membranes were transparent and flexible with pore sizes of 0.7, 2 and 5 μm. Those with 2 μm had a density of 4.13 × 106 pores per cm2. Moreover, membranes coated with silver nanoparticles showed excellent biocidal effect against Acinetobacter baylyi bacteria. The membrane can be used in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems of buildings and car cabins, and can be incorporated in personal masking. [Display omitted] •PET transparent, flexible membrane, highly porous for 99.9% of PM 2.5 removal.•Nanofabricated isoporous polymeric membranes by photolithography.•Silver-coated isoporous membrane with excellent antibacterial effect.•Personal masking, air conditioning and car cabins effective filter.
ISSN:0032-3861
1873-2291
DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2020.123278