Interfacial Polarization Engineering in MXene/PEO Nanofibers for High-Performance, Sustainable Electroactive Aerosol Filtration

Abstract

Achieving high filtration efficiency, low pressure drop, and sustainable end-of-life disposal represents a critical challenge in aerosol filtration. Here, we develop an electroactive air filter by incorporating Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets into recyclable poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) nanofibers via an environmentally friendly aqueous electrospinning method, eliminating the need for toxic organic solvents. Increasing MXene concentration reduced the mean fiber diameter from 901 nm (pristine PEO) to 332 nm at 0.5 wt % loading, which is attributed to intensified electrostatic drafting forces during electrospinning. Applied with a particle charging voltage (9 kV) and a fiber polarizing voltage (16 kV), the optimized M0.5@PEO filter achieved 99.3% filtration efficiency for 0.3 μm particulate matter at a face velocity of 0.053 m/s, with a pressure drop of merely 10.8 Pa. The superior filtration performance is primarily attributed to the interfacial polarization at the MXene/PEO interfaces, which elevates the relative dielectric constant of the fibrous membrane (from 1.208 for pristine PEO to 49.66 at 500 Hz) and promotes field-induced charge accumulation under the external electric field, thereby enhancing electrostatic particle capture. Long-term stability testing conducted over 30 days in ambient conditions verified consistent performance, with filtration efficiencies between 99.1% and 99.8%. Moreover, the water-soluble PEO matrix facilitates complete filter dissolution within 90 s, providing an environmentally friendly end-of-life solution that avoids energy-intensive incineration or landfill disposal. This study establishes a mechanistically grounded and sustainable strategy, leveraging interfacial polarization engineering in MXene/polymer composites, for developing high-performance electroactive air filtration materials with broad applicability in indoor air purification, cleanroom engineering, and industrial emission control.