Efficiency of Electret Polycarbonate Nonwovens in Respiratory Protection Against Nanoparticles

Toxicological research on the influence of noxious nanoparticles on human health indicates the need to develop efficient protective devices. In particular, this concerns respiratory protective equipment employing filtration nonwovens. This paper presents a methodology for the improvement of the filtration efficiency of electret nonwovens against nanoparticles by enriching amorphous polycarbonate (PC) with additives of different electrostatic potentials. We introduced perlite granules (positive charge) and amber granules (negative charge) to the polymer stream in melt-blown technology. Filtration efficiency was assessed by a standard method using paraffin oil and sodium chloride aerosol, as well as by a non-standard method using NaCl nanoparticles. The experiments showed that strengthening the effects of electrostatic forces by the introduction of modifiers is a promising approach to improving the efficiency of electret nonwovens against nanoparticles.