Self‐Cleaning PVDF / TiO 2 Nanofibrous Membrane for High‐Efficiency and Low‐Resistance Air Filtration

ABSTRACT To address the dual challenges of capturing PM 0.3 (particulate matter with diameter ≤ 0.3 μm) ultrafine particles for preventing airborne viral transmission and mitigating secondary contamination from microbial colonization on filtration media, self‐sanitizing nano‐fibrous air materials have emerged as a promising solution. This study tackles the inherent trade‐off between enhanced filtration efficiency and elevated airflow resistance in nanomaterial‐based filters through the strategic integration of photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) into electret polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrices. A hierarchically structured PVDF/TiO 2 nanofiber membrane was successfully fabricated via electrospinning technology. Comprehensive material characterization involving scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy revealed synergistic interactions between composite components. Systematic evaluations of filtration dynamics, surface hydrophobicity, and photocatalytic activity demonstrated that TiO 2 incorporation not only enables UV‐triggered self‐cleaning but also promotes β‐phase crystallization of PVDF, thereby amplifying its inherent electret properties through enhanced dipole alignment. The optimized membrane exhibits exceptional performance metrics, capturing 94.36% of PM 0.3 particles at 32 L/min airflow while maintaining an ultralow pressure drop of 16.96 Pa. Such balanced performance stems from the coupled effects of nanoparticle‐induced electrostatic enhancement and optimized fiber morphology. This multifunctional nanocomposite demonstrates significant potential for deployment in critical indoor environments such as healthcare facilities and educational institutions, advancing the development of intelligent air purification systems with combined high‐efficiency particulate removal, low energy consumption, and autonomous sterilization capabilities.