title: Antimicrobial nanoparticle-coated electrostatic air filter with high filtration efficiency and low pressure drop.
abstract: In this study, we demonstrated an antimicrobial nanoparticle-coated electrostatic (ES) air filter. Antimicrobial natural-product Sophora flavescens nanoparticles were produced using an aerosol process, and were continuously deposited onto the surface of air filter media. For the electrostatic activation of the filter medium, a corona discharge electrification system was used before and after antimicrobial treatment of the filter. In the antimicrobial treatment process, the deposition efficiency of S. flavescens nanoparticles on the ES filter was ~12% higher than that on the pristine (Non-ES) filter. In the evaluation of filtration performance using test particles (a nanosized KCl aerosol and submicron-sized Staphylococcus epidermidis bioaerosol), the ES filter showed better filtration efficiency than the Non-ES filter. However, antimicrobial treatment with S. flavescens nanoparticles affected the filtration efficiency of the filter differently depending on the size of the test particles. While the filtration efficiency of the KCl nanoparticles was reduced on the ES filter after the antimicrobial treatment, the filtration efficiency was improved after the recharging process. In summary, we prepared an antimicrobial ES air filter with >99% antimicrobial activity, ~92.5% filtration efficiency (for a 300-nm KCl aerosol), and a ~0.8 mmAq pressure drop (at 13 cm/s). This study provides valuable information for the development of a hybrid air purification system that can serve various functions and be used in an indoor environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University, Anam-ro 145, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Mi
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: High Efficiency and Clean Energy Research Division, Korea Institute of Energy Research, 152 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-343, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Seol
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Center for Environment, Health and Welfare Research, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarang-ro 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Gwi-Nam
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Center for Environment, Health and Welfare Research, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Hwarang-ro 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jaehee@kist.re.kr.
authors.forename: Jae Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D061808:Air Filters; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D053758:Nanoparticles; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: Air filtration; Antimicrobial filter; Antimicrobial nanoparticle; Antimicrobial natural product; Corona discharge; Electrostatic air filter