Biopolymer-Based Filtration Materials

Abstract

Biobased materials such as cellulose, chitin, silk, soy, and keratin are attractive alternatives to conventional synthetic materials for filtration applications. They are cheap, naturally abundant, and easily fabricated with tunable surface chemistry and functionality. With the planet’s increasing crisis due to pollution, the need for proper filtration of air and water is undeniably urgent. Additionally, fibers that are antibacterial and antiviral are critical for public health and in medical environments. The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity for cheap, easily mass-produced antiviral fiber materials. Biopolymers can fill these roles very well by utilizing their intrinsic material properties, surface chemistry, and hierarchical fiber morphologies for efficient and eco-friendly filtration of physical, chemical, and biological pollutants. Further, they are biodegradable, making them attractive as sustainable, biocompatible green filters. This review presents various biopolymeric materials generated from proteins and polysaccharides, their synthesis and fabrication methods, and notable uses in filtration applications.

Fabrication of air filters with advanced filtration performance for removal of viral aerosols and control the spread of COVID-19

“…As attractive alternatives to conventional synthetic materials, biopolymers including chitosan, alginate, soy, have been used for filtration applications comprising air filters for hospitals, homes, and cars ( Fig. 17 ) [ 21 ]. These materials are naturally abundant, bio-degradable, tunable functionality as well as surface chemistry, and cheap.…”

“…So, recently, the outbreak of the virus has made everyone think about air quality and the provision of proper air filtration systems. Besides, to protect general health, air filters based on electrospun nano-fibers that have antimicrobial properties have been expanded and can be used to provide proper ventilation systems and masks [ [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] ].…”

“…Today, high-performance and efficient air filters are made using polymer nano-fibers as well as nanomaterials that have anti-viral and antimicrobial features such as metals, metal oxides, biopolymers, and carbon-based nanomaterials like graphene and carbon nanotubes [ 15 , 16 , 21 , 23 , 24 ]. In this review, we summarized the utilization of diverse materials in the preparation of efficient air filters to apply in the preparation of medical masks and ventilation systems.…”

Ultrafine PVDF Nanofibers for Filtration of Air-Borne Particulate Matters: A Comprehensive Review

“…This combination demonstrated significant antimicrobial efficiency against bacterial species such as S. aureus and E. coli . Besides, other biopolymers such as zein polypeptide [ 76 ] or deacetylated chitosan [ 77 ] have exhibited high particulate removal efficiency even for PM 0.3 , when converted into nanofibers. Their efficient performance as air filters were due to the active sites present on suitably grafted fiber surfaces, which can neutralize harmful toxins by reacting with them [ 78 ].…”

Recent Progress in Biopolymer-Based Hydrogel Materials for Biomedical Applications

“…Biopolymers are polymers that are made up of many individual monomers, or units, within an organism. They are usually derived from plants and animals allowing them to not only be biodegradable but also easily renewable for other uses [1,2]. Biopolymers have multiple functions within the body, some of them being creating tissue made up of cells, aiding in the function of connective tissue such as human cartilage, and providing molecules to use as signals in the human endocrine system [3].…”