Highly Efficient, Flexible, and Recyclable Air Filters Using Polyimide Films with Patterned Thru-Holes Fabricated by Ion Milling

Sang-Jun Choi,Mi Lee,Jun Yoon,Jaehyuk Im,Kyoung-Kook Kim,Jihyun Jeon,Won-Taek Park,Ung-Dae Sung,Kyung Kim,Jeongjun Lee,Kyung-Suk Choi,Soohaeng Cho,Hyun Kim

doi:10.3390/app9020235

Sang-Jun Choi, Mi Lee + Show 11 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app9020235

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Journal: Applied Sciences	Publication Date: Jan 10, 2019
Citations: 10	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Yonsei University, Korea Polytechnic University

Abstract

We present the first demonstration of the environmental application of a polyimide film (Kapton) with patterned thru-holes as a novel, efficient, flexible, recyclable, and active particulate matter (PM) air filter. The Kapton air filter captures PM using micro-sized thru-holes and the strong electrostatic force because of its high work function. It is highly efficient, transparent, flexible, and heat-resistant. Furthermore, it can be recycled simply by washing it with tap water. The proposed PM filter is a promising candidate for use as a highly efficient and economical recyclable air filter for home appliances, such as air-purifiers, air-conditioners, and humidifiers, as well as industrial filtration systems.

Highlights

Emerging environmental pollution issues—especially, air pollution produced by emissions from residential energy use, traffic, and power generation—have become serious problems worldwide
Another pyrethrum mosquito coil was burned in the chamber, and the particulate matter (PM) density of the air with the air cleaning system was measured in order to allow for comparison of the two situations
The diameter of the thru-holes is 15 μm, the Kapton air filter captures PMs with a diameter that is smaller than 10 μm while 0.3–0.5 μm sized PMs were captured with an initial filtering efficiency of 27.9%

Summary

Introduction

Emerging environmental pollution issues—especially, air pollution produced by emissions from residential energy use (heating, cooking), traffic, and power generation—have become serious problems worldwide. Such air pollution has serious long-term effects on the global atmosphere and public health. PM with a diameter that is smaller than 10 μm (PM10) can pass through human tissue and cause lung disease [8]. PM with a diameter that is smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) leads to increased plaque deposition in arteries, causing vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems [9]. PM10 is filtered using general thread filters, and the smaller PM2.5 is filtered using high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filters.

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