Electrospinning Equipment: Silver Nanofiber Membranes for Indoor Air Pollution Treatment

In today's society, air pollution has become a severe issue, with indoor air pollution quietly threatening people's health. Have you ever considered that the indoor environment we spend our days in, seemingly comfortable, might be hiding various pollutants? From the fumes generated during cooking in the kitchen to the volatile organic compounds released by furniture, and the bacteria and fungi floating in the air, these invisible "killers" are constantly affecting our quality of life. Studies have shown that people spend over 80% of their time indoors, and the quality of indoor air directly relates to our health. Today, let's explore a new type of air purification material—silver nanofiber membranes, which may bring us new hope.

I. Fabrication of Silver Nanofiber Membranes

In this study, silver nanofiber membranes were fabricated using the electrospinning technique. Electrospinning machines are capable of producing nanofiber membranes with high specific surface areas and controllable fiber diameters, and they have been widely applied in the fields of air filtration and biomedicine. By embedding silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into a polymer matrix, nanofiber membranes with antibacterial properties were developed. In the experiments, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) was chosen as the matrix material. The performance of the nanofiber membranes was optimized by adjusting the content of AgNPs and the electrospinning process parameters.

II. Antibacterial Mechanism of Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles possess remarkable antibacterial properties, which have attracted significant attention in the fields of medicine and environmental protection. From a physicochemical perspective, the size, shape, and composition of silver nanoparticles play a crucial role in their antibacterial activity. Generally, smaller silver nanoparticles are more effective in penetrating bacterial cell membranes to exert their antibacterial effects. Research has found that AgNPs with a diameter of less than 30 nm are highly effective against Gram-positive bacteria, while those with a diameter of 10–15 nm are more effective against Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial mechanism primarily involves disrupting the integrity of bacterial cell membranes, causing leakage of cellular contents; attacking intracellular organelles to interfere with normal cellular metabolism; and inducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells, leading to oxidative stress damage and ultimately causing bacterial death.

III. Air Filtration Performance of Silver Nanofiber Membranes

The filtration efficiency of silver nanofiber membranes against bacteria, fungi, and fine particulate matter was evaluated through experiments. The results showed that the filtration efficiency of silver nanofiber membranes significantly increased with the addition of AgNPs. Both the actual and theoretical antibacterial efficiency tests revealed maximum antibacterial and antifungal efficiencies of 98.33% and 99.86%, respectively. Moreover, the membranes maintained high antibacterial efficiency even under high microbial loads, demonstrating their stability and reliability in practical applications. The electrospinning device used in this study allowed for precise control over the fiber formation process, contributing to the enhanced performance of the membranes.

IV. Application Prospects of Silver Nanofiber Membranes

Compared with traditional air filtration materials, silver nanofiber membranes not only offer higher filtration efficiency but also effectively kill microbes in the air, reducing the risk of secondary pollution. In the field of indoor air purification, they can be integrated into various air filtration devices, such as home air purifiers and ventilation systems, to effectively remove bacteria, fungi, viruses, and harmful particles from the air, providing a clean and healthy indoor air environment for people. In medical settings, such as hospitals and clinics, the high antibacterial performance of silver nanofiber membranes can significantly reduce the concentration of microbes in the air, minimizing the risk of cross-infection and safeguarding the health of patients and medical staff. In industrial production, especially in workshops with high air quality requirements, such as electronic chip manufacturing and food processing, silver nanofiber membranes can play an important role in ensuring a clean production environment. The electrospinning machine used in the fabrication process is a key factor in achieving the desired membrane properties for these applications.

Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scca.2025.100056