Nanoporous Cu air filter for electrostatic collection of particulate matter with antibiotic characteristics

Abstract

Air filtration system have become a major technology in recent times not only in the environmental field, but also in industrial field due to precision manufacturing or environmental regulations. Polymeric nanofiber sheets are the most widely accepted material for high-efficiency air filters. However, to achieve high filtering efficiency, nonconductive polymeric filters demand high-pressure drop which may cause several problems of air permeability, noise, vibration, and energy consumption. Applying high electrical conductivity material to the air filter can achieve high efficiency and high permeability filter through maximizing the electrostatic force using the applied voltage. In this study, we introduce the copper nanoporous air filters, fabricated by growing copper nano branches based on electrodeposition and improving stability through post-treatment of roll press and vacuum heat treatment. It has been experimentally verified that the manufactured filter can not only physically filter PMs like the existing filter, but also dramatically increase the filtration efficiency by using a low applied voltage of 20V or less. In addition, for filter optimization, the relationship between filter shape and air permeability was derived through theoretical modeling, and it was confirmed that filter shape control and permeability improvement were possible by additional treatment.