Synthesis of hybrid hydrophobic composite air filtration membranes for antibacterial activity and chemical detoxification with high particulate filtration efficiency (PFE)

Hybrid hydrophobic composite PVDF–Ag–Al(2)O(3) nanofibrous air filtration membranes are synthesized by the electrospinning method with different concentrations of Al(2)O(3) and fixed concentration of Ag to study their antibacterial, particulate filtration efficiencies, and their detoxification ability. All the membranes were characterized for their physical and chemical properties before being tested. It was also found that at Al(2)O(3) concentrations higher than 8%, nanofibers could not be formed by the pure blending and electrospinning technique. The antibacterial activity of the membranes proved that silver incorporation provided suitable disinfection with greater than 99.5% antibacterial efficiency for all membranes. The antibacterial efficiency of the membranes was maintained even as the concentration of Al(2)O(3) was increased. The hydrolysis of paraoxon, a nerve agent simulant, for the prepared membranes was also studied. The removal of paraoxon was found to increase as the loaded concentration of Al(2)O(3) in the membrane increased. The particulate filtration efficiency of the prepared membranes was tested using particles of diameter 0.36 μm. Compared to the nascent PVDF nanofiber membranes with particle filtration efficiency of 94%, the Ag and Al(2)O(3) loaded membranes all had a higher particle filtration efficiency. Interestingly, it was found that as the concentration of Al(2)O(3) loaded in the membranes increased so did the particle filtration efficiency. Membrane characterization data revealed that as the concentration of the Al(2)O(3) was increased, the average pore size of the membrane was reduced and the thickness of the filter mat increased. This would explain the higher retention of the particles by these filters. Correspondingly, the resistance of the filters also increased as more Al(2)O(3) was loaded in the nanofiber membranes. The synthesized nanofibrous membranes have the potential to be used as 3 in 1 highly efficient air filters.