16 / 2023-12-16 02:06:00

Novel supersonically solution-blown nanofibers derived from waste PET bottles for PM0.1-2 filtration: From waste to pollution reduction

Supersonically solution blown; PET bottles; Environment pollution; Air pollution and; nanofibers

Over the past decade, there has been a deterioration in air quality characterized by an escalated concentration of particulate matters (PM_0.1-10). Despite the surge in demand for facemasks during the ongoing pandemic, the significance of fibrous air filtration units as personal protective equipment was acknowledged years ago. In this study, we have fabricated nanofiber mats using waste plastic bottles (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) through electrospinning (ES) and supersonic solution blowing (SSB) techniques for filtering PM_0.1-2. The latter method was capable of producing nanofibers one-third as fine as those from the former technique using the same polymer concentration, owing to an increased strain rate. Nanofibers produced by SSB, when sandwiched between two layers of cotton fabric, exhibited a particle filtration efficiency (PFE) of 99.7% for PM₂ at an airflow rate of 80 liters per minute (LPM), with a pressure drop (ΔP) of 11.56 Pa/cm² and a quality factor (QF) of 0.03 Pa^-1. The finer fibers facilitated a transition flow across the mat, reducing ΔP, while the enhanced interaction between fibers and particles, coupled with reduced drag, accentuated the diffusion capture of particulate matters. The porous SSB fiber mat demonstrated greater hydrophobicity compared to the ES fiber mat. Additionally, a prototype facemask incorporating the SSB mat exhibited a PFE of over 99% for PM₂ even after 21 days, with only a 4% reduction at an 80 LPM flow rate. This facemask proved to be washable, retaining its filtration efficiency after 10 cycles of regular handwashing and sun dryingOver the past decade, there has been a deterioration in air quality characterized by an escalated concentration of particulate matters (PM_0.1-10). Despite the surge in demand for facemasks during the ongoing pandemic, the significance of fibrous air filtration units as personal protective equipment was acknowledged years ago. In this study, we have fabricated nanofiber mats using waste plastic bottles (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) through electrospinning (ES) and supersonic solution blowing (SSB) techniques for filtering PM_0.1-2. The latter method was capable of producing nanofibers one-third as fine as those from the former technique, using the same polymer concentration, owing to an increased strain rate. Nanofibers produced by SSB, when sandwiched between two layers of cotton fabric, exhibited a particle filtration efficiency (PFE) of 99.7% for PM₂ at an airflow rate of 80 liters per minute (LPM), with a pressure drop (ΔP) of 11.56 Pa/cm² and a quality factor (QF) of 0.03 Pa^-1. The finer fibers facilitated a transition flow across the mat, reducing ΔP, while the enhanced interaction between fibers and particles, coupled with reduced drag, accentuated the diffusion capture of particulate matters. The porous SSB fiber mat demonstrated greater hydrophobicity compared to the ES fiber mat. Additionally, a prototype facemask incorporating the SSB mat exhibited a PFE of over 99% for PM₂ even after 21 days, with only a 4% reduction at an 80 LPM flow rate. This facemask proved to be washable, retaining its filtration efficiency after 10 cycles of regular handwashing and sun drying