Hybrid Cellulose-Based Systems for Triboelectrification in Aerosol Filtration, Ammonia Abatement and Respiration Monitoring

The dissipation of charges by aging or under the effect of humid conditions considerably impedes a broader utilization of electrostatic fields in aerosol filtration. This study introduces a respiration-driven air filter (RAF) that continuously generates triboelectric charges within a pair of tribolayers, which facilitates a sustained filtration performance. Such system is integrated in a multilayer unit that is inserted in personal protective equipment (RAFM) to efficiently capture, sense, and degrade airborne pollutants with no need for external power sources. The triboelectric nanogenerator-based RAF continuously replenishes static charges and maintains an electrostatic field through breathing by the effect of contact-electrification between two cellulose-based tribolayers: a cellulose/metal organic framework cryogel (electron donor) and a cellulose-based electrospun membrane (electron acceptor). Notably, the triboelectric field of the RAF's tribolayer pair substantially enhances both the filtration efficiency (up to 93.8% for 0.3 mu m particulate matter) and sensing/catalytic degradation (ammonia; degradation >20%). When integrated in a circuit module, the RAFM effectively monitors respiration dynamics, acting as a breathing indicator/regulator. Overall, this study adds to the promise of tribogeneration through cellulose-based materials and its application in exposure-risk operations.