Zeolite imidazole framework-8(ZIF-8) decorated keratin-based air filters with formaldehyde removal and photocatalytic disinfection performance

Air pollution, consisting of particles of broad sizes, bioaerosols, and gaseous toxic chemicals, has become a serious hazard to public health. However, conventional fibrous filters have the disadvantages of high air resistance and limited ability to remove toxic gaseous and inhibit harmful microorganisms. Herein, we report a bilayer multifunctional air filter material based on applying electrospinning and needlepunching methods to generate hierarchically structure. Specifically, the air filter consists of keratinbased nanofibers as an upper layer and ZIF-8-modified polyethylene terephthalate/ polyethylene needle-punched materials as the substrate. Green, facile, and controllable sonication process involved in thermally-assisted coating method was used to incorporate ZIF-8 onto the substate. The exposed functional groups of keratin and porous ZIF-8 nanocrystals with a high surface area promote the capture capability for small particulate pollutants and toxic gaseous molecules. Meanwhile, the needlepunched substrate with large pores significantly reduces the pressure drop and imparts photocatalytic disinfection performance to the air filter by the excellent photocatalytic characteristic of ZIF-8. This study proposes a novel strategy to fabricate hierarchical multifunctional air filters by combining electrospinning and needle-punching and plays a guidance role in designing and developing keratin-based hybrid materials.