TriboNano shield – Scalable manufacturing anti-smog multi-level structured nanofiber air filter with co-enhanced purification performance towards self-powered window screen

Abstract

Nanofiber air filter has garnered tremendous attention due to large specific surface area, large porosity, highly interconnected aperture channels, etc. However, its unitary interlayer structural construction encounters limitation of filtration performance with a low yield. Here, we architect a triboelectric-induced multi-level interlaminar composite structure-based nanofiber window screen (T-MLNS), manufactured continuously utilizing free surface electrospinning. Subjoined with triboelectric charges (active type), T-MLNS possesses co-enhanced adsorption capacity of aerosols. Additionally, MLNS is constructed with finer fibrous layers for precise filtration and coarser fibrous layers in the middle facilitating airflow passing, under physical filtration mechanisms (passive type). Significantly, three-dimensional theoretical models are innovatively employed with numerical simulation findings that multi-level structures present superb filtration performance than uni-structure ones. In the synergistic effect of the active and passive typed mechanisms, T-MLNS is prolonged service life for precise capture of ultrafine aerosols (Diameter: 0.26 µm) with enhanced filtration efficiency up to 99.9%. The integrated multi-zone structure design creates a pattern-shape fiber mesh, resulting in prominent air permeability (∼100 mm s−1), optical light transmission (> 60%), and robust mechanical properties. This combination of active and passive filtering self-powered window screens offers a unique concept for revolutionising interior air quality in industrialization.