Stabilized Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Fibers for Advancements in Clean Air Technology
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Fibers
1.2. Polyacrylonitrile Stabilization
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Solution Preparation
2.2. Stainless Steel Woven Wire Mesh
2.3. Electrospinning
2.4. Polyacrylonitrile Stabilization
2.5. Polyacrylonitrile Nonwoven Media Characterization
2.6. Air Filtration Testing
3. Results
3.1. As-Spun Nonwoven Fibrous Media
3.2. Effects of Stabilization
3.3. SEM Imaging of Nonwoven Fibrous Media
3.4. Fiber Diameter Measurements
3.5. Air Filtration Testing
3.5.1. Air Filtration Performance Standards
3.5.2. Air Filtration Efficiency
3.5.3. Airflow Resistance
4. Discussion
4.1. Effects of Fiber Diameter and Solidity on Air Filtration Efficiency
4.2. Effects of Fiber Diameter on Airflow Resistance
4.3. Estimated Change in Filtration Efficiency for Thicker Media and Slower Air Velocity
4.4. Estimated Change in Airflow Resistance for Thicker Media and Slower Air Velocity
4.5. Figure of Merit Comparison
4.6. Comparison of Stabilized Polyacrylonitrile Mesh with Glass Fiber HEPA Media
5. Conclusions and Future Research
5.1. Recommendation for Future Research
5.2. The Use of Graphene in Air Purification
5.3. Activated Carbon Air Filter Media
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Gauge | Use | Aperture (μm) | Wire Diameter (μm) | Open Area (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
20-gauge SS mesh | Flat Plate | 900 | 400 | 52 |
8-gauge SS mesh | Roller | 2500 | 800 | 60 |
Trial | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Polyacrylonitrile (by weight) | 6.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
Electrospinning Details | ||||||
Orientation | Flat | Flat | Flat | Roller | Roller | Roller |
Needle Gauge | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Tip-to-collector (cm) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Electric Potential (kV) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 30 |
Pump Rate (mL/h) | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
Pump Time (min) | 213 | 173 | 233 | 545 | 545 | 1091 |
Roller Speed (rpm) | - | - | - | 180 | 180 | 180 |
Total Deposition (mL) | 2.84 | 2.30 | 3.49 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 20.0 |
Stabilization Details | ||||||
Stabilization Temp (°C) | 270 | 270 | 270 | 270 | 270 | 270 |
Temp Ramp (°C/min) | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
Stabilization Time (min) | 240 | 120 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 240 |
Resultant Mass | ||||||
Stabilized Mass (mg) | - | - | 764.1 | 825.0 | 1257.3 | |
Areal density (mg/cm2) | - | - | 1.194 | 1.289 | 1.965 |
6% PAN Media Trial #1 | 9% PAN Media Trial #3 | |
---|---|---|
Fiber Diameter Mean (nm) | 216.1 | 461.6 |
Fiber Diameter Standard Deviation (nm) | 69.2 | 96.9 |
Airflow Velocity (cm/s) | 5.15 | 5.17 |
Particle Penetration (%) | 2.17 | 2.38 |
Initial Filtration Efficiency (%) | 97.83 | 97.62 |
Initial Airflow Resistance (Pa) | 512.9 | 157.9 |
Calculated Figure of Merit (1/Pa) | 0.0137 | 0.0250 |
Estimates for Clean Media | Airflow Velocity (cm/s) | Airflow Resistance (Pa) | Total Filter Efficiency (%) | Figure of Merit (1/Pa) |
---|---|---|---|---|
HEPA Standard | 2.5 | 320.0 | 99.97 | 0.0253 |
6% Media as Tested | 5.2 | 459.0 | 99.81 | 0.0137 |
6% Media (estimated at 1.4× thickness) | 2.5 | 311.9 | >99.98 | >0.0282 |
9% Media as Tested | 5.2 | 154.0 | 97.85 | 0.0250 |
9% Media (estimated at 2× thickness) | 2.5 | 148.9 | >99.95 | >0.0516 |
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Beckman, I.P.; Berry, G.; Ucak-Astarlioglu, M.; Thornell, T.L.; Cho, H.; Riveros, G. Stabilized Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Fibers for Advancements in Clean Air Technology. Atmosphere 2023, 14, 573. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14030573
Beckman IP, Berry G, Ucak-Astarlioglu M, Thornell TL, Cho H, Riveros G. Stabilized Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Fibers for Advancements in Clean Air Technology. Atmosphere. 2023; 14(3):573. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14030573
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeckman, Ivan P., Gentry Berry, Mine Ucak-Astarlioglu, Travis L. Thornell, Heejin Cho, and Guillermo Riveros. 2023. "Stabilized Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Fibers for Advancements in Clean Air Technology" Atmosphere 14, no. 3: 573. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14030573