Synthesis of Aloe Vera-lignin Based Electrospun Air Filter

Abstract

The current study aimed to synthesize an Aloe vera -lignin-based electrospun air filter with an antimicrobial finish to improve filtration efficiency for particulate matters, gaseous pollutants, and pathogenic microorganisms. The synthesized material was characterized by SEM and FTIR. The electrospun layer was combined with non-woven polypropylene fabrics coated with the tested antimicrobial finish on the interior and exterior fabrics, along with activated carbon cloth to form hybrid masks. The filtration efficiency of the electrospun air filter and the hybrid mask was evaluated using Cigarette secondhand smoke which showed significant performance compared to the tested commercial masks with about 95-99% for micron size particles (1 μm, 2.5 μm, 5 μm, 10 μm), 95-99.9% for particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), and 82-98% for various gaseous pollutants (HCHO, TVOC, CO2). It was evaluated that the bio-based electrospun air filter showed significant performance compared to tested commercial masks and can efficiently be used as an alternative filter media that can alleviate air contamination and simultaneously preserve good breathability. Thus, this study can be regarded as a promising solution for air filtration following ecofriendly, green, and sustainable development strategies.