Self-charge-carrying air filter by in situ polymerization to avoid charge dissipation and potential material poisoning

• A self-charge-carrying air filter (PCILG@MF) was fabricated by in situ polymerization. • The PCILG coating with ionic conductivity avoided the charge dissipation and powder shedding of adsorption materials. • PCILG@MF shows excellent filtration efficiency retention performance under humid condition. • PCILG@MF filter possessed adsorption capacity for nano-sized influenza viruses. Charge dissipation of filter adsorption layer can seriously affect the electrostatic filtration efficiency to cause infection. Here, a self-charge-carrying filter with particulate matters (PMs) removal efficiency retention performance was fabricated by in situ polymerization. The filter consists of a polymerized ionic coating, that is the in situ growth of bio-curcumin ionic liquid (CIL), covered the surface of sponge network forming PCILG@MF composite. Benefiting from inherent ionic transport properties of CIL, the filter allows for a continuous electric field to attract particles, avoiding the charge loss of adsorption materials during long-term using. The filter remained a high efficiency of over 97% after 30 h, even for nano-sized influenza viruses. Interestingly, the PCILG@MF also provides a chelating effect to capture PMs containing various heavy metals. In comparison with commercial mask, the filter exhibits significantly less powder shedding to reduce potential human inhalation toxicity. The present work highlights the potential of self-charge-carrying CIL-based filter for air pollution.