Progress in Electrospun Nanofibres for Air Filtration

Air pollution is a growing problem worldwide, reason for seeking more efficient methods to prevent exposure to contaminated air.Air filters must have the ability to effectively remove extremely small quantities of hazardous materials from the air, without causing excessive pressure drops, all at acceptable price conditions.A modern nanotechnology for obtaining polymeric nanofibres is electrospinning, capable of producing nanofibres of various materials, with controlled structures and porosity and with small pores, which makes it a favorable candidate for efficient air filtration.Electrospun nanofibres can be used directly or incorporated into various devices to reduce the negative impact of air pollution.The article briefly reviews the latest electrospinning technologies, highlighting the structural and performance advantages in producing air filters in what regards thickness, porosity, pressure drop, permeability antibacterial properties.The types of material used to obtain the nanofibres used as filtration medium are analyzed and the structural properties and performances of the filters are discussed.Finally, the challenges of electrospinning in producing air filters and future perspectives were summarized.