Multistructured Electrospun Nanofibers for Air Filtration: A Review

Abstract

Air filtration materials (AFMs) have gradually become a research hotspot on account of the increasing attention paid to the global air quality problem. However, most AFMs cannot balance the contradiction between high filtration efficiency and low pressure drop. Electrospinning nanofibers have a large surface area to volume ratio, an adjustable porous structure, and a simple preparation process that make them an appropriate candidate for filtration materials. Therefore, electrospun nanofibers have attracted increased attention in air filtration applications. In this paper, first, the preparation methods of high-performance electrospun air filtration membranes (EAFMs) and the typical surface structures and filtration principles of electrospun fibers for air filtration are reviewed. Second, the research progress of EAFMs with multistructures, including nanoprotrusion, wrinkled, porous, branched, hollow, core–shell, ribbon, beaded, nets structure, and the application of these nanofibers in air filtration are summarized. Finally, challenges with the fabrication of EAFMs, limitations of their use, and trends for future developments are presented.

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Cellulose for the Production of Air-Filtering Systems: A Critical Review

“…Moreover, the electrostatic and chemical interaction between the filter and the particulate can also significantly affect the filtration performance [14,17]. Recently also the efficiency of electrospun fibers in air filtration was summarized by Lu and coworkers, emphasizing all the morphological properties that allow the air filtration efficiency to be improved [18].…”

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“…An environmental study has shown that prolonged exposure to these particles increases mortality due to COVID-19. In fact, particles with high surface-to-volume ratios can absorb the virus-containing SARS-CoV-2 and spread viral infection [ [15] , [16] , [17] ].…”