Article Title

Silk nanofibers as high efficient and lightweight air filter

Authors

Chunya Wang, Department of Chemistry & Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Shuyi Wu, Department of Engineering Mechanics &Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Muqiang Jian, Department of Chemistry & Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Jiarong Xie, Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Luping Xu, Department of Engineering Mechanics &Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Xudong Yang, Department of Engineering Mechanics &Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Quanshui Zheng, Department of Engineering Mechanics &Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Yingying Zhang, Department of Chemistry & Center for Nano and Micro Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Keywords

silk nanofibers, air filtration, PM2.5, submicron particles, lightweight

Abstract

Silk is a widely available, edible, biocompatible, and environmentally sustainablenatural material. Particulate matter (PM) pollution has drawn considerableattention because it is a serious threat to public health. Herein, we report ahuman-friendly silk nanofiber air filter, which exhibits superior filtrationefficiency for both PM2.5 and submicron particles with obviously low pressuredrop and low basis weight compared to typical commercial microfiber airfilters. Additionally, other functions such as antibacterial activity could be easilyintegrated into the silk nanofiber air filters, enabling the fabrication ofmultifunctional air filters. All the above characteristics, combined with thenatural abundance and biocompatibility of silk, suggest a great potential for theuse of silk nanofibers as air filters, especially as comfortable and personal airpurifiers.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-016-1145-3

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Chunya Wang,Shuyi Wu,Muqiang Jian,Jiarong Xie,Luping Xu,Xudong Yang,Quanshui Zheng,Yingying Zhang, Silk nanofibers as high efficient and lightweight air filter. NanoRes.2016, 9(9): 2590–2597