journal article·2026-05

Bio‐Inspired Design of Robust, Transparent Nanofibrous Air Filters for High‐Efficiency Particulate Matter Capture

Chao‐Yang Guo, Jiang‐Ping Chen, Qi‐Jun Zhang, Zai‐Dong Shao, Qisheng Ou, Lu‐Bin Zhong, Yu‐Ming Zheng

Small· Volume 22· Issue 27
Publisher page

Abstract

ABSTRACT Transparent air filters (TAFs) have attracted considerable attention for air purification and personal protection. However, conventional TAFs improve high light transmittance by minimizing fiber diameter and reducing filter thickness, which compromises mechanical strength and remains restricted by the trade‐off between filtration efficiency and pressure drop. Inspired by the heterogeneous vein‐membrane structure of dragonfly wings, a bio‐inspired TAF (B‐TAF) with enhanced mechanical and filtration performance is designed through dual‐nozzle electrospinning and spatially controlled electric‐field deposition. Enabled by cross‐scale fiber assembly and spatially resolved deposition, the B‐TAF possesses a multi‐dimensional architecture, comprising 1D bimodal nanofiber diameter distribution, 2D irregular in‐plane spatial arrangement of dense and sparse nanofiber layer regions, and 3D fluffy porous nanofiber architecture. This precisely engineered architecture features high visible light transmittance (>70.0%), outstanding filtration efficiency (>99.5% for both PM 0.3 and PM 1.0 ), and exceptionally low pressure drop (<80.0 Pa), effectively overcoming conventional transparency‐strength and efficiency‐pressure‐drop trade‐offs. Furthermore, the B‐TAF exhibits superior mechanical robustness, with a tensile strength of 5.3 MPa and an elongation at break of 232%, ensuring stable long‐term operation under practical conditions. This study presents a scalable manufacturing approach, offering a viable pathway toward the practical application of high‐performance multifunctional TAFs.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications · Aerosol Filtration and Electrostatic Precipitation · Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Environmental Technology, Institute of Urban Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences Xiamen China

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China

Particle Technology Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering University of Minnesota Minnesota USA

Fujian Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Ozone Pollution Prevention, Institute of Urban Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences Xiamen China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China

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