Bicomponent PLA Nanofiber Nonwovens as Highly Efficient Filtration Media for Particulate Pollutants and Pathogens.

Danyang Gao,Fuxing Chen,Xue Yang,Renhai Zhao,Xin Ning

doi:10.3390/membranes11110819

Abstract

Herein, a novel form of bicomponent nanofiber membrane containing stereo-complex polylactic acid (SC-PLA) was successfully produced by the side-by-side electrospinning of Poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and Poly (D-lactic acid) (PDLA). We demonstrate that through these environmentally sustainable materials, highly efficient nanofiber assemblies for filtration can be constructed at very low basis weight. The physical and morphological structure, crystalline structure, hydrophobicity, porous structure, and filtration performance of the fibrous membranes were thoroughly characterized. It was shown that the fabricated polylactic acid (PLA) side-by-side fiber membrane had the advantages of excellent hydrophobicity, small average pore size, high porosity, high filtration efficiency, low pressure drop as well as superior air permeability. At the very low basis weight of 1.1 g/m2, the filtration efficiency and pressure drop of the prepared side-by-side membrane reached 96.2% and 30 Pa, respectively. Overall, this biomass-based, biodegradable filtration material has the potential to replace the fossil fuel-based polypropylene commercial meltblown materials for the design and development in filtration, separation, biomedical, personal protection and other fields.

Highlights

IntroductionStudies have shown that several ways of transmission for SARS-CoV-2 include droplet transmission, body fluid transmission, aerosol transmission, and contact with contaminated surfaces [4,5]
We focused on the optimized processes of stereo-complex polylactic acid (SC-polylactic acid (PLA)) crystallization in the bicomponent PLLA and PDLA side-by-side nanofiber membrane
Adequate air permeability made the fiber membrane other fields owing to its high efficiency, low pressure drop, and superior air perme complete brilliant filtration performance perfectly without sacrificing filtration efficiency

Summary

Introduction

Studies have shown that several ways of transmission for SARS-CoV-2 include droplet transmission, body fluid transmission, aerosol transmission, and contact with contaminated surfaces [4,5]. Microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses in the air can attach to particulates, which gradually enter the human organs through the respiratory system, leading to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases [6,7]. Current masks almost exclusively use polypropylene-based meltblown materials as their functional filtration media, while which can lead to undesirable effects such as environmental disposal

Methods

Results

Conclusion