Energy-efficient PM adhesion method using functional electroactive nanofibers

ABSTRACT

With growing environmental pollution caused in part by increase in particulate matter (PM), indoor air quality is becoming an important issue in modern society particularly as health and environment consciousness rises. In addition, as the need for a mask has emerged to prevent the spread of viruses such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the dreaded COVID-19, filter technology has become the focus of considerable research attention. In this study, we introduce a functional fiber that can improve the energy-efficiency for PM adhesion while lowering the pressure drop in an existing commercial high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter. Nanofibers made of polymer and metal nanoparticles were produced by electrospinning;the triboelectricity generated by friction between fibers and air was used to capture the PM. The PM adhesion performance and pressure loss of the developed filter (PVDF/Au) and the commercial HEPA filter were compared, and the charging effect of the filters was analyzed by comparing the power generation performance of the triboelectric nanogenerator. Compared to HEPA filter, PVDF/Au filter reduced pressure drop by about 25%, but, the PM adhesion-energy efficiency of PVDF/Au was superior to that of HEPA by 28.6% based on 90% PM2.5 removal. As a filter that increases the PM adhesion effect while lowering the energy consumption and the pressure drop of the filter, PVDF/Au is expected to be effectively utilized in the existing filtration type filter system.