Robust Super-Liquid-Repellent nanofiber membranes for long-term high-efficiency air filtration in harsh conditions

The process of industrialization has led to an increasingly deteriorating environment for human survival, accompanied by the frequent occurrence of air pollution and extreme weather. Filtration is one of the most direct and effective methods for removing harmful particles from the air and improving production cleanliness. Industrial waste gas is detrimental and has a complex composition. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop high-performance air filtration materials with excellent liquid barrier properties, resistance to hazardous chemicals, and high climate adaptability. Herein, a robust fluorinated metal organic framework (F-MOF) @polyetherimide/polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene/fluorinated alkyl silane (PEI/PVDF-HFP/FAS) nanofiber membrane for high-performance air filtration in complex and harsh conditions is developed. The prepared nanofiber membrane shows superhydrophobicity/oleophobicity with a water contact angle (WCA) of 162° and an oil contact angle (OCA) of 145°. It also shows excellent resistance to organic solvents and corrosive solutions, as well as extreme high/low temperature (200 ℃ / −20 ℃) resistance. Attributed to its outstanding characteristics, the membrane has high filtration performance for both solid and liquid aerosols and maintains long-lasting filtering performances in real situations (i.e., sunlight irradiation, strong wind, rainstorm) and harsh conditions (i.e., strong acid or alkaline). Such nanofiber membrane has broad application prospects in industrial filtration and personal protection in complex and even hazardous conditions.