Formation and characterization of polytetrafluoroethylene nanofiber membranes for high-efficiency fine particulate filtration

Abstract

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous membranes are widely used for high-temperature filtration. The polytetrafluoroethylene nanofiber membranes for fine particulate filtration were prepared by sintering the precursor electrospun polytetrafluoroethylene/polyvinyl/boric acid alcohol composite membranes. The effects of PTFE/PVA mass ratio and sintering temperature on the morphology and properties of the prepared membranes were investigated to obtain the PTFE nanofibers with different diameters, and the film has been characterized by SEM, TG, XRD, FT-IR, and EDS, and the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of the membranes were also investigated. The PTFE nanofiber membranes after sintering had nanofiber and nanowire structures. Moreover, the membranes were tested in air filtration. The filtration efficiency and pressure drop were tested to evaluate the membrane permeability and separation properties. The results showed a high filtration efficiency (98%) and a low pressure drop (90 Pa) for 300 nm sodium chloride aerosol particles at a 30 L min⁻¹ airflow velocity and the hydrophobic membranes showed durable self-cleaning properties, which suggested that the PTFE nanofiber membranes were a promising candidate for high temperature filtration applications.