Advances in air filtration technologies: structure-based and interaction-based approaches

Intensifying air pollution has engendered growing public health concerns due to its broad and adverse effects on humanity. As a result, the development of air filtration technologies has received increased attention as a practical and promising solution. Till now, many efforts have sought to advance air filtration technologies to overcome the trade-off relationship between filtration efficiency and pressure drop. This review discusses recent progress in air filtration technology with respect to two distinct strategies, the first about optimizing filter structure and then on enhancing electrostatic interaction. Three different structure-based techniques are reviewed, including fiber morphology modification, component hybridization, and multilayer stacking, and then three interaction-based approaches that operate by imposing charge are discussed, such as induction charging, triboelectric charging, and corona charging. Furthermore, two types of active air filtration applications are comprehensively discussed as interaction-based approaches. The review concludes by discussing the current limitations and future prospects of air filtration technologies, including applications beyond air purification.