Green and efficient electrospinning of ethyl cellulose-based nanofibrous membrane for high-performance and antibacterial air filtration.

The environmentally friendly, economical, and efficient production of high-performance and multifunctional bio-based air filter membranes is crucial for the protection of human health and sustainable development. However, this endeavor is significantly limited by the current gap in material selection and process routes. This study proposes a strategy for advanced functionalization and structural optimization of ethyl cellulose (EC) to effectively develop a high-performance, fully bio-based air filter membrane exhibiting superior antibacterial properties. Through the minimal interference method, konjac glucomannan (KGM) and curcumin (Cur) were blended with EC, which preserved the bimodal fibers to the highest degree. By green electrospinning in one step, the quality factor of EC/KGM/Cur membranes reached 0.101 Pa, the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reached >99.6 %, and the productivity of EC/KGM/Cur membranes prepared by using sheath gas was increased by almost 14.73 times. This study offers a sustainable, scalable, and versatile manufacturing approach for air filters and thus a promising solution to the urgent need for environmentally friendly and efficient filter systems.