Study on particulates and volatile organic compounds removal with TiO2 nonwoven filter prepared by electrospinning

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and titania (TiO2) Degussa P-25 were mixed to generate TiO2 nonwoven filters using electrospinning. The wires of titanium dioxide and the nonwoven binding titania nanofibers were formed using 14 kV voltage and a distance of 15 cm. A single-factor experimental method was used to investigate the effects of parameters such as initial concentration, retention time, and light source on acetone removal by nonwoven binding titania nanofibers. Furthermore, the effects of parameters such as gas pressure, particle size, initial concentration, and retention time on the removal of particulates were also assessed. The results showed that the degradation efficiency increased with decreasing initial concentrations and increasing retention time. The best operational conditions during this study for the removal of acetone using the TiO2 nonwoven filters were a retention time of 100 sec, initial acetone concentration of 250 ppm, and ultraviolet (UV) light source of 254 nm. Under those conditions, 99% acetone removal efficiency was obtained. In addition, 90% particulate matter removal efficiency was reached when the particulate size was greater than 200 nm and the reaction time was longer than 5 minutes. The prepared TiO2/nanofiber has good performance for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate removal at the same time.Implications: In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and titania (TiO2) Degussa P-25 were mixed to generate TiO2 nonwoven filters using electrospinning. The results showed that the optimum operating conditions for the removal of acetone using the TiO2 nonwoven filters were a retention time of 100 sec, initial acetone concentration of 250 ppm, and UV light source of 254 nm. Under those conditions, 99% acetone removal efficiency was obtained.