High-Performance Nanomaterial’s in Air Filtration and Purification

Abstract

Industrialization and urbanization are amongst the major sources of air pollution. Though high-performance
nanomaterials offer compelling advances for air filtration and purification. In this work, several nanomaterials
were tested for their ability to remove particulates (PM2.5 and PM10) and VOCs, while evaluating the wear
and tear of each material. Pressure had no effect on PM2.5 capture efficiency which was 80% using activated
carbon, while carbon nanotubes were more efficient in PM10 capture despite greater pressure drop. Graphene
oxide was very effective in the abatement of volatile organic compounds, which was not the case for titanium
dioxide which performed as good as activated carbon in the capture of PM2.5 particles but with a pressure
drop of the same magnitude. Silver nanoparticles were the most effective in a percent capture of PM10
particles at low pressure drop. Yeoman’s zinc was effective in re-absorbing volatile organic compounds from
the dust. The PEI-coated and electro spun nanofibers are capable of capturing PM2.5 and PM10 particles
respectively, and at relatively low-pressure reductions. Results from durability studies demonstrated that TiO2
and silver nanoparticles exhibited superior efficiency retention throughout numerous cycles, but PEI-coated
nanofibers saw substantial efficiency degradation.