Chinese scientists have created a material that uses light energy to attract dust particles, viruses, and microbes as they pass through it. It could be used as the basis for masks and respirators capable of filtering the air for several months.
Professor Yu Jihong from Jilin University says: "Current air filtration systems deteriorate rapidly, and their efficiency decreases over time. We have devised a system capable of purifying the air from dust and other particles for very long periods, thanks to its acquisition of a static electrical charge under the influence of relatively dim indoor lighting."
Scientists point out that current masks and air purification systems rely on various filters made of randomly arranged fibers and other irregular structures that trap dust particles, aerosols, microbes, and other pollutants. However, the pores of these structures quickly become clogged, forcing doctors and patients to change masks frequently.
Industrial air purification systems that remove various particles using electrostatic filters do not suffer from this problem, because the filters used in them consist of sets of electrodes that give dust particles, microbes and viruses an electrical charge, allowing them to be attracted and removed from the air by electric fields.
Scientists have successfully replicated this effect using a material based on a polypropylene film and a special piezoelectric coating consisting of a polymer material and gallium-indium alloy molecules. These structures absorb sunlight or artificial light falling on the filter and use its energy to positively charge adjacent polymer chains.
Tests conducted by scientists showed that the new material is capable of capturing salt and ash particles hundreds of nanometers in diameter. Furthermore, even after a month of continuous use, its air filtration efficiency decreased by only 1% compared to the initial level, making the Chinese chemists' innovation suitable for use in manufacturing reusable masks and portable air filtration systems that do not require a power source.
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