Submicron PAN and nanofiber CTA air filters: Fabrication, optimization, and performance

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 352; p. 128111
• Main Authors: Chang, Po-Kai, Huang, Sheng-Hsiu, Chen, Jie-Wen, Chun-Te Lin, Justin, Hsiao, Ta-Chih
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2025
• Subjects: Cellulose triacetate (CTA); Electrospinning; Nanofiber; Particle filtration; Polyacrylonitrile (PAN); Electrospinning; Nanofiber; Polyacrylonitrile (PAN); Cellulose triacetate (CTA); Particle filtration
• ISSN: 1383-5866
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.128111

[Display omitted] •Genuine nanofibers (65–102 nm) produced from recycled CTA using binary solvent system.•CTA nanofibers outperformed PAN submicron fibers with higher quality factors.•Optimized electrospinning parameters crucial for fiber diameter and filtration control.•Recycled CTA nanofibers promising for sustainable, efficient air filtration. This study investigates the fabrication, optimization, and performance of submicron polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and nanofiber cellulose triacetate (CTA) air filters produced through electrospinning. PAN fibers with diameters ranging from 379 to 804 nm were generated from PAN/DMF solutions, while genuine CTA nanofibers (65–102 nm) were successfully produced using a recycled CTA polymer and a binary solvent system (DMSO/TCM). The effects of electrospinning parameters, including solution concentration (10–12 wt% for PAN, 8 wt% for CTA), applied voltage (10–16 kV), tip-to-collector distance (16–24 cm), solution supply rate (0.08–0.10 mL/hr), and binary solvent ratio (7:1 to 20:1 DMSO/TCM), on fiber morphology and diameter were systematically examined. Reducing PAN solution concentration and increasing applied voltage effectively decreased fiber diameter, enhancing filtration efficiency. Filtration performance tests revealed that CTA nanofibers outperformed PAN submicron fibers, exhibiting higher quality factors (0.043–0.046 Pa−1) due to their smaller fiber diameters and increased fiber packing density. Decreasing CTA solution supply rate and increasing DMSO/TCM ratio reduced fiber diameter and increased packing density. Longer spinning collection times improved filtration efficiency but increased thickness and pressure drop. The optimization of electrospinning parameters proved crucial for controlling fiber diameter and achieving enhanced filtration efficiency, particularly at the most penetrating particle size (MPPS), which usually covers the ultrafine particle size range. This study provides valuable insights into the development of high-performance air filtration media through the optimization of electrospinning parameters and the utilization of recycled materials.