Hierarchical fiber with granular-convex structure for highly efficient PM2.5 capture

Air pollution has seriously affected human health and the atmospheric environment. Preparation of fiber membrane with hierarchical structure provides an advanced method for high-performance air filtration. However, indistinctive secondary structure and complicated preparation present constantly in the formation of fiber with hierarchical structure, inevitably limited in the application of air filtration. In this work, a typical granularconvex structure was created in the surface of thermal-crosslinked sodium phytate/polyvinyl alcohol (T-PANa/ PVA) fiber via green preparation. Unique secondary structure endowed fiber with efficient physical interception and polar adsorption, which exhibited excellent the removal of air pollutants (removal of PM2.5 high than 99.9% while low air resistance of 36.5 Pa). In addition, due to the exist of crosslinked network, T-PANa/PVA fiber membrane expresses water-resistant and mechanical properties. This work provides a positive strategy to fabricate hierarchical fiber membranes via green preparation for high-performance air filtration, which is expected to substitute traditional air filtration materials and adapt to the sustainable development of future.

Automated summary

This study developed a unique granular-convex structure on the surface of fibers through green preparation, providing efficient physical interception and adsorption capabilities for excellent removal of air pollutants with low air resistance. The fiber membrane also exhibited water resistance and mechanical properties, offering a positive strategy for high-performance air filtration.