Novel PAN-based Air Filters for Potential Applications in Industrial Air Filtering and Facemask Production

Abstract

Air pollution is often related to increased concentration of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) pollutant particles in the air. One of the methods of their removal is air filtration. Hereby, a novel and simple method of producing nanofiber-based air filters with multiple active components for highly efficient PM2.5 capture is proposed. Micro-porous carbon nanofibers (MCNFs) were produced by carbonizing electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer and was later incorporated into the nanofibrous structure of the filters, which itself was made from electrospun PAN, achieving the production of two active components of the filter from one starting material, simplifying the production process. When compared to the base PAN filter, PAN/MCNFs filter exhibits greater filtering properties with almost absolute pollutant particle removal. Their improved thermal and mechanical properties make this kind of filters suitable for harsh-condition environments, such as those in industrial plants. The possibility of using studied filters in facemask production was studied and reduced temperature variation was recorded when using a facemask with an inserted PAN/MCNFs filter, thus increasing wearing comfort for the user. All mentioned properties open a potential possibility for these filters to be used in different environments, but also leave room for further improvement.