Comparative Study of PBS and PBSA Biodegradable Nanofibers Produced by Electro-Blow Spinning for Sustainable Air Filtration Applications

Poly Butylene Succinate (PBS) and Poly Butylene Succinate-co-Adipate (PBSA) are biodegradable polyesters that have attracted considerable attention for nanofibre fabrication due to their environmentally friendly characteristics and favourable material properties. PBS nanofibres are known by relatively high rigidity, thermal stability and crystallinity, making them suitable for applications that require structural strength. However, the stiffness of PBS may reduce its flexibility and limit its processing performance in some applications. In contrast, PBSA nanofibres incorporate adipic acid into the polymer chain, which results in lower crystallinity, greater flexibility and reduced melting temperature. These characteristics enhance the elasticity and processability of PBSA-based materials. The differences in mechanical and thermal behaviour between PBS and PBSA arise from the modification of the polymer backbone in PBSA, making it more appropriate for applications that demand adaptable and flexible materials, such as tissue engineering and air filtration. Both nanofibre systems show significant potential for sustainable technologies. In this study, a comparative evaluation of PBS and PBSA nanofibres was conducted to investigate their morphology, crystallinity, mechanical behaviour and filtration performance. The results show that PBS nanofibres exhibit a higher crystallinity of approximately 45%. In contrast, PBSA nanofibres demonstrate a significantly higher strain, reaching nearly twice that of PBS nanofibres. Regarding filtration performance, both materials achieved filtration efficiencies of up to 93%, while maintaining relatively low pressure drops of 210 Pa for PBS and 200 Pa for PBSA. Furthermore, corona discharge treatment was applied to enhance electrostatic capture and maintain filtration efficiency during extended operation for up to seven days.