Use of cellulose nanofibers modified with phthalimide for adsorb of particulate matters less than 2.5 microns

The purpose of this study was to fabricate nano filters to adsorb particulate matters less than 2.5 μm using phthalimide modified cellulose nanofibers. Modification of cellulose nanoparticles with phthalimide was performed on acetic acid with the cellulose to phthalimide nanofiber ratios of 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:1.5 wt%. Modified cellulose nanofibers were evaluated by various techniques including SEM and ZP (zeta potential). Finally, cellulose nanofibers, both pure and unmodified, were evaluated for the adsorption of particulate matters and compared with the control filter (HEPA). SEM analysis showed no significant change in the size and structure of cellulose nanofibers due to modification, but with increasing phthalimide content, the specific surface area increased while porosity and pore diameter decreased. The results of the effect of temperature on the adsorption of particulate matters showed that the highest adsorption of particulate matters less than 0.1 μm was related to 1.5% phthalimide-modified cellulose nanofibers and 65°C (76%). However, the adsorption of particulate matter was above 0.3 μm for all purified and modified cellulose nanofibers.