Perforating Catalyst-Embedded Nanofibers With Adaptive Interfacial Microenvironments for Fast and Durable Indoor...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Ground-level ozone is a significant health hazard.
• Developing efficient catalytic membranes for ozone removal under humid conditions is challenging due to issues with durability and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer advanced catalytic membranes for efficient and durable ozone decomposition.
• To overcome limitations of existing membranes in humid environments.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of perforating catalyst-embedded nanofibrous membranes using a selective swelling-induced segmental reorganization strategy.
• Utilizing polysulfone-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PSF-b-PEG) scaffold to create interconnected through-channels within nanofibers.
• Electrospinning to form interconnected inter-fiber pores, establishing a continuous through-pore network.

Main Results:

• Achieved nearly complete ozone conversion (∼100%) with a low pressure drop (0.15% of atmospheric pressure).
• Demonstrated long-term filtration efficiency (>99% for 600 hours) under humid conditions.
• Showcased the versatility of the approach for fabricating diverse catalyst-embedded membranes.

Conclusions:

• The developed membrane-engineering strategy enables efficient gas transport and high catalytic activity in humid environments.
• This approach offers a promising pathway for developing sustainable catalytic membranes for air purification applications.
• The strategy enhances catalyst accessibility and regulates water interaction for improved durability.