Synthesis and characterization of air filter media made from cellulosic ramie fiber (Boehmeria nivea)

Abstract

At present, air filter materials are predominately made of synthetic polymers that are derived from petroleum. The production of these synthetic polymers negatively impacts the environment as well as entailing complex equipment and high production costs. Thus, air filter media made from natural fiber would have a significant benefit. The research done in this study supports the use of an alternative air filter media that is easily and cheaply made from the ramie plant (Boehmeria nivea), which grows the world over. This paper explains the method used to produce fiber from the ramie plant that can be used as an air filter media, based on the T205 standards of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). The research shows that ramie fiber can be successfully used as an air filter media as it meets all of the performance standard test requirements of air filter media; it has a tensile strength of 0.36±0.03 kN/m and can withstand degrading up to the temperatures of 280 °C. Ramie fiber also has an air filter media performance of PM2.5, and a 46% efficiency rating at a pressure drop of 167 Pa.