Effect of PVDF content on the filtration performance and mechanical properties of melt-blown PP fibrous webs

Year 2023, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 137 - 152, 31.07.2023

Andinet Kumella Eticha , Yasin Akgül , Ayben Pakolpakçil , Oğuz Kağan Ünlü , Harun Çuğ , Ali Kılıç

https://doi.org/10.29228/JIENS.70166

Cited By: 2

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM0.3) aerosols are the most penetrating particles, which pose a serious health threat to humans. Therefore, mechanical filtration alone is insufficient to effectively filter 0.3 µm aerosols from a polluted environment. Thus, the need for electrostatic filtration is undeniable. This study aims to investigate the effect of incorporating 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% mass fractions of Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) on the filtration performance and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)-based melt-blown (MB) nonwoven filter webs for air filtration applications. Morphological tests, fiber diameter measurements, filtration tests, mechanical tests, contact angle tests, etc., were conducted for each filter web to characterize its properties. The test results revealed that PP/PVDF fibrous webs exhibited thicker micro-fibers in the range of 1.0 to 1.32 µm and rough surface morphologies (beads and droplets) compared to MB PP, which can be attributed to the incorporation of PVDF. Consequently, the introduction of 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% PVDF into PP resulted in the creation of super-hydrophobic MB nonwoven webs, as evidenced by their resistance to water droplets. However, the study also demonstrated that the incorporation of 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% PVDF into PP reduced the tensile strength of PP nonwoven filters by approximately 5.55% and 8.33%, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of 20 wt.% PVDF into PP, along with corona charging, induced a quality factor (QF) of 0.11 mmH2O-1 for the 80PP-20PVDF sample. A similar QF was observed for corona-charged MB PP, which exhibited a filtration efficiency of 99.01% against 0.3 µm aerosol particles, at the expense of a pressure drop of 427 Pa.

Keywords

Polypropylene, Polyvinylidene fluoride, Melt-blown, Filtration performance, Mechanical properties

Thanks

The authors highly appreciated and thank Karabuk University Iron and Steel Laboratory and TEMAG Laboratory of Istanbul Technique University for their support for the characterization. Also, the authors would like to thank DuPont for the supply of Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene.

References

• Deng Y, Lu T, Cui J, Samal SK, Xiong R, and Huang C (2021) Bio-based electrospun nanofiber as building blocks for a novel eco-friendly air filtration membrane: A review. Separation and Purification Technology 277:119623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119623
• Mamun A, Blachowicz T, and Sabantina L (2021) Electrospun nanofiber mats for filtering applications—Technology, structure and materials. Polymers 13(9):1368. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091368
• Zhang X et al. (2021) Multi-layered, corona charged melt blown nonwovens as high performance PM0. 3 air filters. Polymers 13(4):485. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13040485
• Doğan C, Doğan N, Gungor M, Eticha AK, and Akgul Y (2022) Novel active food packaging based on centrifugally spun nanofibers containing lavender essential oil: Rapid fabrication, characterization, and application to preserve of minced lamb meat. Food Packaging and Shelf Life 34:100942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.20222.100942
• Doğan N, Doğan C, Eticha AK, Gungor M, and Akgul Y (2022) Centrifugally spun micro-nanofibers based on lemon peel oil/gelatin as novel edible active food packaging: Fabrication, characterization, and application to prevent foodborne pathogens E. coli and S. aureus in cheese. Food Control 139:109081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109081
• Zhang H, Liu J, Zhang X, Huang C, and Jin X (2018) Design of electret polypropylene melt blown air filtration material containing nucleating agent for effective PM2. 5 capture. RSC advances 8(15):7932–7941. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ra10916d
• Bhat G (2015) Meltblown submicron fibers for filter media and other applications. International fiber journal: 20–23.
• Duran K, Duran D, OYMAK G, Kilic K, Ezgi Ö, and Mehmet K (2013) Investigation of the physical properties of meltblown nonwovens for air filtration. Textile and Apparel 23(2):136–142.
• Han MC et al. (2022) High-performance electret and antibacterial polypropylene meltblown nonwoven materials doped with boehmite and ZnO nanoparticles for air filtration. Fibers and Polymers 23(7):1947–1955. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-022-4786-8
• Pu Y et al. (2018) Preparation of polypropylene micro and nanofibers by electrostatic-assisted melt blown and their application. Polymers 10(9):959. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym10090959
• Podgórski A, Ba\lazy A, and Gradoń L (2006) Application of nanofibers to improve the filtration efficiency of the most penetrating aerosol particles in fibrous filters. Chemical Engineering Science 61(20):6804–6815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2006.07.022
• Matulevicius J, Kliucininkas L, Martuzevicius D, Krugly E, Tichonovas M, and Baltrusaitis J (2014) Design and characterization of electrospun polyamide nanofiber media for air filtration applications. Journal of nanomaterials. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/859656
• Zhang H et al. (2020) Design of polypropylene electret melt blown nonwovens with superior filtration efficiency stability through thermally stimulated charging. Polymers 12(10):2341. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12102341
• Shiu BC, Zhang Y, Yuan Q, Lin JH, Lou CW, and Li Y (2021) Preparation of Ag@ ZIF-8@ PP melt-blown nonwoven fabrics: air filter efficacy and antibacterial effect. Polymers 13(21):3773. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213773
• Brochocka A, Majchrzycka K, and Makowski K (2013) Modified melt-blown nonwovens for respiratory protective devices against nanoparticles. Fibres & Textiles in Eastern Europe.
• Sanyal A and Sinha-Ray S (2021) Ultrafine PVDF nanofibers for filtration of air-borne particulate matters: A comprehensive review. Polymers 13(11):1864. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13111864
• Yang B, Hao M, Huang Z, Chen Z, and Liu Y (2023) High Filterable Electrospun Nanofibrous Membrane with Charged Electret After Electrification Treatment for Air Filtration. Fibers and Polymers. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-023-00110-1
• ETICHA AK, TOPTAŞ A, AKGÜL Y, and KILIÇ A (2023) Electrically assisted solution blow spinning of PVDF/TPU nanofibrous mats for air filtration applications. Turkish Journal of Chemistry 47(1):47–53. https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0527.3515
• Gungor M, Toptas A, Calisir MD, and Kilic A (2021) Aerosol filtration performance of nanofibrous mats produced via electrically assisted industrial-scale solution blowing. Polymer Engineering & Science 61(10): 2557–2566. https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.25780
• Zhu G, Kremenakova D, Wang Y, and Militky J (2015) Air permeability of polyester nonwoven fabrics. Autex Research Journal 15(1):8–12. https://doi.org/ 10.2478/aut-2014-0019
• Leung WWF, Hung CH, and Yuen PT (2010) Effect of face velocity, nanofiber packing density and thickness on filtration performance of filters with nanofibers coated on a substrate. Separation and purification technology 71(1):30–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2009.10.017
• Y. Polat et al. (2019) Solution blown nanofibrous air filters modified with glass microparticles. Journal of Industrial Textiles. https://doi.org/10.1177/1528083719888674
• Luiso S, Henry JJ, Pourdeyhimi B, and Fedkiw PS (2020) Fabrication and characterization of meltblown poly (vinylidene difluoride) membranes. ACS Applied Polymer Materials 2(7):2849–2857. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.0c00395
• Abuzade RA, Zadhoush A, and Gharehaghaji AA (2012) Air permeability of electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanoweb. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 126(1):232–243. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.36774
• Naragund VS and Panda PK (2021) Electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofiber membranes for air filtration application. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03705-4
• Liu B, Zhang S, Wang X, Yu J, and Ding B (2015) Efficient and reusable polyamide-56 nanofiber/nets membrane with bimodal structures for air filtration. Journal of colloid and interface science 457:203–211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2015.07.019
• Wu X et al. (2016) Hydrophobic PVDF/graphene hybrid membrane for CO2 absorption in membrane contactor. Journal of Membrane Science 520:120–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2016.07.025
• Francis L, Ghaffour N, Alsaadi AS, Nunes SP, and Amy GL (2014) PVDF hollow fiber and nanofiber membranes for fresh water reclamation using membrane distillation. Journal of Materials Science 49:2045–2053. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-013-7894-4
• Li H, Shi W, Zeng X, Huang S, Zhang H, and Qin X (2020) Improved desalination properties of hydrophobic GO-incorporated PVDF electrospun nanofibrous composites for vacuum membrane distillation. Separation and Purification Technology 230:115889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2019.115889
• Xing J, Ni QQ, Deng B, and Liu Q (2016) Morphology and properties of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer alloys by melt blending. Composites Science and Technology 134:184–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2016.08.020
• Khakestani M, Jafari SH, Zahedi P, Bagheri R, and Hajiaghaee R (2017) Physical, morphological, and biological studies on PLA/n HA composite nanofibrous webs containing E quisetum arvense herbal extract for bone tissue engineering. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 134(39):45343. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.45343