A superhydrophobic dual-network fibrous membrane for reliable radioiodine aerosol capture under high-humidity conditions

A MOF-based dual-network fibrous membrane is prepared via one-step electrospinning. • The membrane exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning function. • Structure–performance relationship of fiber size effect and filtration is revealed. • Excellent iodine aerosol removal efficiency is preserved under elevated humidity. The efficient remediation of radioactive iodine aerosols is crucial for nuclear pollution control. However, existing technologies struggle to simultaneously capture radioactive iodine vapors and aerosols while maintaining performance under high-humidity conditions. Herein, a facile and scalable one-step electrospinning strategy is used to fabricate a superhydrophobic dual-network MOF-based composite fibrous membrane (ZIF-8@PVP/MK). The hierarchical dual-network structure construction and tunable fiber diameters are achieved by regulating spinning voltage. An organosilicon resin rich in low-surface-energy Si–CH 3 groups is used to ensure superhydrophobicity. Through in-situ blending, ZIF-8 nanoparticles are embedded within and on the fibers, significantly increasing the purification performance for radioiodine aerosols with iodine adsorption capacity of 1981 mg/g and high filtration efficiency over 99%. Spectroscopic analysis reveals that the C O bonds in PVP and the C N bonds in ZIF-8 ligands provide electrons for iodine capture, facilitating charge transfer and strong chemisorption. Moreover, ZIF-8 loading creates abundant surface defects and enhances roughness, providing numerous active sites and pathways for aerosol capture. Notably, the superhydrophobic membrane exhibits excellent self-cleaning capability and water resistance, ensuring long-term stability and recyclability. This work presents a promising material for the efficient purification of radioactive iodine aerosols and offers a practical strategy for nuclear waste management in high-humidity environments. Download: Download high-res image (193KB) Download: Download full-size image