Three-dimensional multi-scale membrane for efficient air filtration performances: Preparation, optimization and characterization

Abstract

With the increasing attention to global air quality problem, air filtration materials become a research hotspot. Here, novel polyurethane (PU)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)@ polypropylene (PP) multi-scale membranes were fabricated by a lamination process of electrospinning and melt-blown methods. The electrospinning nano-membrane and melt-blown micro-membrane were optimized under various parameter. The morphology and structures of the prepared multi-scale membranes were characterized by SEM and FT-IR. And the water contact angle was tested to evaluate the wettability properties. Air filtration tests was operated to determine the optimum membranes for air filtration application. The results showed that the multi-scale membranes had highly air filtration efficiency (96.72%) and quality factor (0.04167 Pa− 1) which can be obtained by only electrospinning 60 min. The successful preparation of multi-scale membranes provides a new way for the design and development of electrospinning filteration membranes. In addition, large-scale production of air filtration membranes with high filtration efficiency and low pressure drop can be realized by combine electrospinning and melt-blown technology.