Alumina beads decorated copper-based coordination polymer particle filter for commercial indoor air cleaner

• Published in: Building and environment 2022-06, Vol.217, p.109012, Article 109012
• Main Authors: Le, Van Cam Thi, Sheraz, Mahshab, Kang, Eunsil, Ly, Huyen Ngoc, Mai, Hien Duy, Anus, Ali, Kim, Seungdo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetic acid; Activated carbon; Activated carbon substitution; Adsorption; Adsorptivity; Air filters; Aluminum oxide; Ammonia; Antimicrobial; Beads; Chemical properties; Commercial indoor air cleaner; Coordination polymers; Copper; Copper-based coordination polymer particle; E coli; Inactivation; Indoor environments; Organic compounds; Pollutants; Polymers; Porous alumina; Test chambers; Toluene; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Volatile organic compounds adsorption
• ISSN: 0360-1323; 1873-684X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109012

This paper provided an insight into the dual functionalities of air filter for the removal of multiple volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) pathogen pollutants. In this regard, a cost-effective and eco-friendly method was developed to grow copper coordination polymer particles (Cu-CPP) onto porous alumina (Al2O3) support, resulting in the formation of Cu-CPP /Al2O3 composite beads. The use of coordination polymer particles can allow more control of the physical and chemical properties of the adsorptive materials at a molecular level through rational selection of metal nodes and organic ligands. Notably, excellent toluene adsorption capacities (256.97 mg g−1) and breakthrough behaviors were observed in Cu-CPP/Al2O3 beads. For the first time, the Cu-CPP/Al2O3 beads air filter was successfully scaled up and installed on a commercial air cleaner with 1 m3 test chamber for various VOCs adsorption. The Cu-CPP/Al2O3 beads air filter exhibited removal efficiency for formaldehyde (99.5%), toluene (99.5%), acetic acid (100%) and ammonia (100%), which are superior to conventional activated carbon. The E. coli was chosen as a model for testing the inactivation performance. The Cu-CPP/Al2O3 beads showed an efficiency of 97.02%, which was substantially higher than that of activated carbon (43.78%) after 120 min of exposure. This research paves the way for the development of multifunctional air filters based on copper coordination polymer particles, which would be excellent for commercial indoor air cleaner applications. [Display omitted] •Prototype commercial air cleaner with CuCPP/Al2O3 beads filter has been manufactured.•Cu-CPP/Al2O3 beads exhibit dual-functionalities for multiple VOCs and E.coli removals.•Superior VOCs removal efficacies of Cu-CPP/Al2O3 are ideal for activated carbon substitution.•Cu-CPP/Al2O3 beads have an excellent reduction of 99.9% after 24 h of exposure.