Electrostatic Polydopamine-Interface-Mediated (e-PIM) filters with tuned surface topography and electrical properties...

Ambient particulate matter (PM) poses severe environmental health risks to the public globally, and efficient filtration technologies are urgently needed for air ventilation. In this contribution, to overcome the efficiency-resistance trade-off for fibrous filtration, we introduced an electrostatic polydopamine-interface-mediated (e-PIM) filter utilizing a combined effect of particle pre-charging and filter polarizing. After delineating the PM-fiber interactions in electrostatic filtration, we designed a composite fiber structure and fabricated the filters by a two-step dip-coating. The surface topography and electrical potential of the polyester (PET) coarse substrates were regulated by successively coating polydopamine (PDA) layers and manganese oxide clusters. By this means, an 8-mm-thick Mn-P @ P-100 filter possessed improved efficiency of 96.05%, 97.60%, and 99.14% for 0.3-0.5 µm, 0.5-1 µm, and 1-3 µm particles, the ultralow air resistance of 10.4 Pa at a filtration velocity of 0.5 m/s, and steady ozone removal property. Compared with the pristine PET substrates, the efficiency for 0.3-0.5 µm particles expanded 12 times. Compared with the pristine PET substrates, the efficiency for 0.3-0.5 µm particles expanded 12 times. We expect e-PIM filters and the filtration prototype will be potential candidates as effective and low-cost air cleaning devices for a sustainable and healthy environment.