Bicomponent PLA Nanofiber Nonwovens as Highly Efficient Filtration Media for Particulate Pollutants and Pathogens

Abstract

Herein, a novel form of bicomponent nanofiber membrane containing stereo-complex polylactic acid (SC-PLA) was successfully produced by the side-by-side electrospinning of Poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and Poly (D-lactic acid) (PDLA). We demonstrate that through these environmentally sustainable materials, highly efficient nanofiber assemblies for filtration can be constructed at very low basis weight. The physical and morphological structure, crystalline structure, hydrophobicity, porous structure, and filtration performance of the fibrous membranes were thoroughly characterized. It was shown that the fabricated polylactic acid (PLA) side-by-side fiber membrane had the advantages of excellent hydrophobicity, small average pore size, high porosity, high filtration efficiency, low pressure drop as well as superior air permeability. At the very low basis weight of 1.1 g/m2, the filtration efficiency and pressure drop of the prepared side-by-side membrane reached 96.2% and 30 Pa, respectively. Overall, this biomass-based, biodegradable filtration material has the potential to replace the fossil fuel-based polypropylene commercial meltblown materials for the design and development in filtration, separation, biomedical, personal protection and other fields.

Self-Charging, Breathable, and Antibacterial Poly(lactic acid) Nanofibrous Air Filters by Surface Engineering of Ultrasmall Electroactive Nanohybrids

“…The absorption peaks owing to the asymmetric bending deformation of −CH–, C–O–C, and the stretching vibration of −C–C– skeletons appeared at 1365, 1087, and 868 cm –1 , respectively. These characteristic peaks of PLA were consistent with the related literature reports. , The characteristic peaks of PLA/BZ NFMs were consistent with those of pure PLA. However, the evident shifts of the characteristic absorption peaks of CO and C–O–C gradually shifted from 1755 and 1087 cm –1 for pure PLA to 1752 and 1085 cm –1 for PLA/BZ NFMs, which is mainly explained by the introduction of BTO@ZIF-8.…”

“…These characteristic peaks of PLA were consistent with the related literature reports. 44,45 The characteristic peaks of PLA/ BZ NFMs were consistent with those of pure PLA. However, the evident shifts of the characteristic absorption peaks of C�O and C−O−C gradually shifted from 1755 and 1087 cm −1 for pure PLA to 1752 and 1085 cm −1 for PLA/BZ NFMs, which is mainly explained by the introduction of BTO@ZIF-8.…”

Evaluation of Mask Performances in Filtration and Comfort in Fabric Combinations

“…Due to the low pressure drop and smooth surface of silk, it is easy to combine with non-woven fabric, and silk is a natural fiber, which is non-toxic to the human body and is degradable; therefore, we choose the combination of silk and non-woven fabric to complete this experiment. Considering the comfort of composite materials, the thickness, weight, filtration efficiency, and pressure drop of commercially available polylactic acid (PLA) non-woven fabric, polypropylene (PP) non-woven fabric, and PLA electrostatic spinning non-woven fabric were compared with PP melt-blow non-woven fabric in the middle layer of masks [ 29 , 30 ]. Finally, the combination of PLA electrostatic spinning non-woven fabric and silk was selected.…”

Toward Sustainable Wearable Electronic Textiles

“…Also, while there are some concerns over the adsorption of viruses and molds to the surface of conventional biodegradable plastics, PLA shows excellent antibacterial, , and antifungal properties. Furthermore, the PLA film also offers good air permeability, oxygen permeability , and odor isolation . All these qualities promote PLA as a highly suitable candidate for use in wearable e-textiles.…”