A highly efficient nanofibrous air filter membrane fabricated using electrospun amphiphilic PVDF--POEM double comb copolymer.

Current global emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and particulate matter (PM) pollution, require urgent protective measures. Nanofibrous air filter membranes that can capture PM and simultaneously help in preventing the spread of COVID-19 are essential. Therefore, a highly efficient nanofibrous air filter membrane based on amphiphilic poly(vinylidene fluoride)--poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (PVDF--POEM) double comb copolymer was fabricated using atomic transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and electrospinning. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to successfully characterize the molecular structure of the fabricated amphiphilic PVDF--POEM double comb copolymer. The nanofibrous air filter membrane based on amphiphilic PVDF--POEM double comb copolymer achieved a low air resistance of 4.69 mm HO and a high filtration efficiency of 93.56 % due to enhanced chemical and physical adsorption properties.