Electrospun nanofibrous membranes with asymmetric wettability for unidirectional moisture transport, efficient PM capture and bacteria inhibition

The performance of moisture management, PM capture, and bacteria inhibition are significant for air cleaning materials. Herein, a nanofiber composite PVDF/PAN-CTAB membrane with multiple functions was constructed via a facile electrospinning strategy. Incorporating cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) in the windward PAN layer simultaneously improved membrane moisture transport rate, antibacterial performance, and PM capture ability. The enhanced moisture management performance was achieved by regulating the microstructure of the nanofibers and the thickness ratio of the asymmetric wetting layers. Hydrophobic-hydrophilic interface superimposed force on water droplets was measured to thoroughly investigate directional water transport behavior. Consequently, the prepared PVDF/PAN-CTAB membrane possesses a water vapor transport rate of >13 kg m(-2) d(-1), PM0.3 removal efficiency of >= 99% with a low pressure drop of similar to 84 Pa, and an E. coli inhibition rate of 99.99%. This work would pave the way for engineering asymmetric wettability structure to improve the moisture management performance of antibacterial air cleaning membrane, and provides a novel scientific sight on directional water transport phenomenon based on force test and analysis.

Automated summary

This study successfully improved the moisture management, antibacterial performance, and PM capture ability of air cleaning materials by incorporating CTAB in the nanofiber composite PVDF/PAN-CTAB membrane. The enhanced moisture management performance was achieved by regulating the microstructure of the nanofibers and the thickness ratio of the asymmetric wetting layers. The study also provided a detailed investigation into directional water transport behavior based on force test and analysis.