Electrospinning Parameters for Air Filtration with Spider-Net Structures

Since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the scientific community has increasingly focused on air pollution and its associated health impacts, particularly in urban areas. However, most air filtration systems still rely on synthetic materials, highlighting the need for natural, renewable alternatives. Due to their unique morphology, spider-nets– intricate structures formed by electrospun nanofibers — have emerged as promising candidates for air filtration. This study investigates the influence of electrospinning parameters influence spider-net formation and their efficiency in nanoparticle air filtration. Using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (CS) and Lippia sidoides essential oil (EO), this study investigates the influence of electrospinning/electronetting parameters on spider-net formation and their efficiency in nanoparticle air filtration. Samples were produced under an electric field of 23.4 kV, a flow rate of 1.17 mL/h and a production time of 28 min. Conductivity analyses, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and air filtration tests showed that drum collectors significantly enhanced spider-net formation. Additionally, protic acids such as acetic acid reduced fiber diameters from 291 nm to 117 nm compared to water, further improving filtration efficiency. The sample containing 6.0% PVA, 1.0% CS and EO achieved a filtration efficiency of 99.64% with a low-pressure drop of 117 Pa, comparable to synthetic polymers like polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate. These findings demonstrate that optimizing electrospinning parameters enhances spider-net formation from biodegradable polymers. These engineered innovative structures provide an effective and sustainable alternative to synthetic materials for advanced air filtration applications.