Lab Electrospinning System| Green and efficient electrospinning ofethyl cellulose-based nanofibrousmembrane for high-performance andantibacterial air filtration

Views: 1563 Author: Nanofiberlabs Publish Time: 2025-06-30 Origin: Green electrospinning

With the increasing severity of atmospheric pollution and microbial transmission risks, developing environmentally friendly and biodegradable high-performance air filtration materials has become crucial. Traditional petroleum-based polymer membranes face issues of non-degradability and high production pollution, while bio-based materials often suffer from fiber structure damage during functional modification due to interfacial interactions, making it difficult to balance filtration performance and antibacterial functionality. Additionally, poor stability of bio-based solutions and low productivity of traditional electrospinning processes limit their applications.

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Recently, Professor Gaofeng Zheng from Xiamen University and Associate Researcher Zungui Shao from Fuzhou University published a research paper titled "Green and efficient electrospinning of ethyl cellulose-based nanofibrous membrane for high-performance and antibacterial air filtration" in Carbohydrate Polymers. This study employed a "minimal impact strategy" to precisely regulate the intermolecular interactions among ethyl cellulose (EC), konjac glucomannan (KGM), and curcumin (Cur). By suppressing hydrogen bond interference with polymer chain stretching differences in EC solutions, the bimodal fiber structure was maximally preserved. The prepared EC/KGM/Cur membrane achieved dual breakthroughs in air filtration performance and antibacterial functionality by combining the efficient filtration capability of fine fibers, low-resistance air channels of coarse fibers, and the synergistic antibacterial mechanism of KGM/Cur.

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Figure 1: Minimal impact strategy for maintaining bimodal fiber characteristics and performance demonstration of EC/KGM/Cur


This research focused on the functional modification of EC's bimodal fiber structure. Through comparative molecular structure analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solution conductivity and viscosity tests, it was demonstrated that KGM and Cur as modifying components had weaker hydrogen bonding with EC compared to resveratrol (RV), maximizing preservation of the bimodal fiber structure (R value of 2.90). 

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Figure 2: Effects of different functional materials on EC and comparison with zein


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Figure 3: XRD, FTIR, DTG, stress-strain tests, and water contact angle results for different types of fiber membranes


X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed the composite membrane's structural compatibility, successful loading of functional components, and thermal stability advantages. Stress-strain tests and water contact angle measurements showed that compared to commonly used bio-based zein, the EC-based membrane exhibited higher mechanical strength and better hydrophobicity.

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Figure 4: Air filtration performance, breathability, and filtration mechanism of EC/KGM/Cur for different fiber membranes


Single fine fibers capture ultrafine particles through mechanisms like Brownian diffusion. While dense fine fiber layers improve filtration efficiency, they significantly increase airflow resistance. In contrast, the bimodal structure with interwoven fine and coarse fibers not only efficiently captures particles through fine fibers but also utilizes coarse fibers to form airflow channels, reducing overall pressure drop and achieving optimal balance between filtration efficiency and resistance.The EC/KGM/Cur nanofibrous membrane demonstrated excellent air filtration performance: 99.61% filtration efficiency for 0.3 μm NaCl particles, 54.9 Pa pressure drop, and quality factor of 0.1010 Pa⁻¹. After five washes, it maintained 99.25% efficiency with better breathability than N95 masks.

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Figure 5: Comparison of antibacterial capabilities of different fiber membranes


Under the synergistic effect of KGM and Cur, the membrane's antibacterial capability was significantly enhanced, showing over 99.6% inhibition rates against E. coli and S. aureus.

Using a sheath gas-assisted multi-nozzle electrospinning system, an 8-nozzle array increased production capacity from 0.055 g/h (single nozzle) to 0.81 g/h (14.73-fold improvement). The production employed ethanol/water mixed solvents without toxic emissions, and the spinning solution remained stable for 24 hours without gelation, breaking through industrial production bottlenecks for bio-based materials.

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Figure 6: Mass production of fiber membranes

This research not only overcame performance limitations of bio-based materials in air filtration but also established a complete chain of "green materials - efficient processes - circular economy." By combining the minimal impact strategy with sheath gas-assisted scaled-up production, the team has pioneered a new direction for environmentally friendly air filtration materials.

Paper link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123893

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