Synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 on polyester fiber for PM_2.5 removal

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was introduced on the surface of fibers of a non-woven fabric made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The phase structure, morphology, textural properties and chemical structure were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen (N₂) adsorption analyzer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD, SEM and FTIR results indicated that ZIF-8 had been successfully coated on the PET fibers. N₂ adsorption analyses suggested that addition of ZIF-8 significantly increased the specific surface and micropore volume of composites. The PM_2.5 removal experiment showed the filtration efficiency of ZIF-8/PET was twice as high as that of pure PET. Meanwhile, ZIF-8/PET also displayed a low pressure drop and good recycling performance. This research provided a facile method to deposit active ZIF-8 onto polymers with low air resistance, and that ZIF-8/PET was a good candidate as an air filter for PM_2.5 removal.