Humidification Performance Evaluation of Open–Cell Type Ni Form Coated with Antibacterial Ag Zeolite

Abstract

This study aimed to develop an antimicrobial filter for a commercial vaporizing humidifier with superior humidification performance. A technique was developed to coat the cell wall surface of open-cell type Ni foam with antimicrobial Ag zeolite powder to achieve this goal. First, open-cell type Ni foams were fabricated by powder metallurgy using urethane foam as a template. Polyethylene (PE) powder was used as a binder to coat the cell wall surface of the open-cell type Ni foam with Ag zeolite powder as an antimicrobial agent. A mixture of Ag zeolite and PE powder was deposited on the cell wall surface of the open-cell type Ni foams by the fluidized dipping method. The open-cell type Ni foams were then heat-treated to produce open-cell type antimicrobial Ni foams with Ag zeolite powder coated on the cell wall surfaces of the open-cell type Ni foams using PE as the binder. Humidification and antimicrobial tests were conducted using the developed open cell type antimicrobial Ni foam. As a result, the improved humidification performance and antimicrobial effect of the designed filter were confirmed. This paper briefly describes the antimicrobial and humidification performance of the developed open-cell type antimicrobial Ni foam.