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Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospun nanofibrous membrane for removing indoor gaseous phthalates: A health-driven
Yu Sun1, Donghui Mo1, Lvyan Lin1
1Department of Energy and Environment System Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China.
Abstract:
This study developed a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospun nanofibrous membrane (PEM)-based macro-channel adsorption module for removing indoor gaseous phthalates, integrating material design, mass transfer modeling and health-benefits-oriented optimization. The fabricated PEM demonstrated exceptional adsorption capacity, exhibiting partitioning coefficients (Km) 4-30 times higher than conventional textile materials. Surface chemical analysis confirmed that the adsorption of phthalates on PEM is predominantly governed by physical adsorption mechanisms. By taking diethyl phthalate (DEP), di(isobutyl) phthalate (DiBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DnBP) as target compounds, experimental evaluations were performed for the PEM-based channel. Results revealed excellent agreement between model predictions and experimental data (relative error <10 %). Parametric analysis identified trade-offs among key factors, including membrane partitioning coefficient, membrane thickness, channel geometric parameters, and air velocity. Furthermore, a health-benefits-driven framework was established for macro-channel module design, showing that sustained removal efficiencies of 26 % and 58 % were required for reducing children's disease burdens (attributable to DnBP exposure in Chinese households) by 20 % (BD-20 target) and 40 % (BD-40 target), respectively. The channel based on originally fabricated PEMs for a BD-20 module could achieve effective operation at 40 Pa pressure drop (with face velocity of 3.8 m/s). Under identical operating conditions, the pressure drop can be further reduced to below 10 Pa through optimized design parameters while maintaining the equivalent purification efficiency. For enhanced health benefits and reduced operational resistance, advanced electrospun membranes with superior adsorption capacity are further required. This work advances sustainable solutions for mitigating indoor exposure to emerging air pollutants.
