A review on recent trends of the antibacterial nonwovens air filter materials: Classification, fabrication, and application

The air pollution and a variety of bacteria in the air, such as influenza virus and COVID-19 virus, have posed a serious threat to the environment and human health. The air filters which show excellent removal efficiency towards the particulate matter are applied to solve this issue. However, the captured pathogens also remain viable in the filters, this will result in a secondary source of pollutants. In view of this, the research on antibacterial air filters is growing exponentially due to their excellent properties for controlling air pollution and inhibiting bacteria. In this review, the recent development of antibacterial air filters is reviewed and summarized. Firstly, the antibacterial agents (inorganic/organic antibacterial agents, MOF antibacterial agents, and natural antibacterial agents) are introduced and compared. Then, the substrates of air filter materials, including meltblown nonwovens, electrospun nanofiber membranes, and other air filter materials, are summarized and evaluated. We also summarized the strategies to incorporating antibacterial properties into air filter materials and present their applications. Finally, the challenges and prospects of antibacterial air filters are also discussed to further stimulate the development and the application of antibacterial air filter materials. It is believed that antibacterial air filter materials with highly antibacterial activity can control various air pollutants and prevent the spread pathogens.