The Effect of Aligned Porous Nanofibers on Filter Efficiency and Pressure Drop

Masks, vital for submicron filtration, face a trade-off between enhanced when increasing filter efficiency and, an increased pressure drop, impacting user comfort during physical activities leading to difficulty breathing. Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Nylon masks electrospun with humidity control, was investigated. Optimal conditions emerged with a 10% PCL solution by weight in a chloroform and dimethylformamide mix (8:2 ratio), collected at 500 RPM, producing highly efficient aligned porous fibers. Conversely, Nylon failed to yield porous fibers under any tested combination of parameters.

Our findings reveal a filtration efficiency range for porous aligned PCL fibers from 6% for 0.3 μm particles up to 42% at 5 μm, accompanied by a minimal pressure drop of 7 Pa. Introducing humidity proved effective in manufacturing porous nanofibers within a conventional electrospinning setup, offering promise for exploring diverse materials. The material’s distinct behavior suggests a broad avenue for the development of oriented multilayered mask application.