A concise review on electrospun nanofibres/nanonets for filtration of gaseous and solid constituents (PM2.5) from polluted air

• Published in: Colloid and interface science communications Vol. 37; p. 100275
• Main Authors: Robert, Berly, Nallathambi, Gobi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2020
• Subjects: Air purification technologies; Co-axial electrospinning; Electret; Electrospun nanofibre; Gas adsorption; Membrane; Nanonet; Surface functionalization; Surface functionalization; Air purification technologies; Nanonet; Electret; Gas adsorption; Membrane; Electrospun nanofibre; Co-axial electrospinning
• ISSN: 2215-0382; 2215-0382
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colcom.2020.100275

Although wide ranges of fibrous filters are available, tailoring mechanically robust, and multifunctional (adsorb toxic gases, potent antibacterial, anti-corrosive, etc.) polymeric nanofibres has presented unusual potential for use in many novel filtration applications. Among the several nanofibre production techniques that have evolved over the past several years, electrospinning is considered the most promising, simple and highly productive process. Additionally, nanofibres with well-defined surface properties can be produced by chemical/physical activation using various activation agents/dopants based on the available functional groups. This ability to modify the surface properties of nanofibrous membrane, serve as an effective platform for toxic gas adsorption, and other related filtration applications. This review will present a brief overview of electrospinning polymeric materials, details of already existing air filtration/purification technologies and the advances/practical options through the novel nanofibrous/nanonet membrane (benefits and drawbacks) to enlarge the potential applications of nanofibrous membrane for an enhanced air filtration/purification performance. [Display omitted] •The review briefly discusses the existing air filtration technologies.•Ionizers, Ozonizer, Electrostatic precipitator, Photo-catalytic Oxidation, Adsorption, and Solid Media Filtration.•Nanofibrous/nanonet membrane to enlarge the potential applications for an enhanced air filtration/purification performance.•Quality factor plays a major role compared to the filtration efficiency of a nanofibrous membrane.•The contribution of electrets and nanonets to address the usual bottleneck of nanofibrous membrane.