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Surface-Engineered Filters for Wettability-Driven Collection of Airborne Fungal Spores
Hafiza Umaima Affan1,2, Claire Lenehan1,2, Sally Fryar1
1College of Science and Engineering Flinders University Bedford Park South Australia Australia.
Global Challenges (Hoboken, NJ)
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Plasma polymerization enhances air filters for improved fungal spore capture. Surface chemistry, not coating thickness, dictates selective capture of airborne fungi like mold and yeast for better environmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Accurate fungal spore sampling is crucial for assessing health risks.
- Current air filters struggle to capture low-abundance or dispersed fungal spores effectively.
- Advanced sampling methods are needed for reliable bioaerosol monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma polymerization for modifying air filters to enhance fungal spore capture.
- To evaluate the impact of different monomer coatings on filter performance.
- To determine the role of surface chemistry and film thickness in spore adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) filters were coated with nanothin films using acrylic acid, 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (POX), 1,7-octadiene, and perfluorooctane (PFO) via plasma polymerization.
- Coated filters were characterized using ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements.
- Capture efficiency for airborne spores (Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sp., Penicillium roqueforti, Rhodotorula glutinis) was tested in a custom aerosolization chamber.
Main Results:
- Plasma-modified filters demonstrated species-specific fungal spore capture efficiencies.
- Hydrophobic PFO coatings excelled at capturing filamentous fungi (molds).
- Hydrophilic POX coatings were most effective for capturing yeast.
- Surface chemistry was the primary driver of spore adhesion, with coating thickness having no significant impact.
Conclusions:
- Plasma polymerization offers an effective method for tailoring air filter surfaces for selective fungal spore capture.
- Functionalized air filters show promise for improving bioaerosol monitoring in built environments.
- This approach provides a proof-of-concept for developing next-generation air sampling technologies.
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