There is a growing interest in window air filters to protect indoor air quality from ultrafine particulate matter (PM) in outdoor air. The filters for this purpose must achieve high filtering efficiency without compromising the original functions of the window, such as high air permeability and visibility. Several filters meeting these requirements have been developed and demonstrate a high PM2.5 filtering efficiency. However, these filters are installed outside the window or on the window screen guard, thereby requiring high levels of ultraviolet (UV), chemical, and thermal resistance. These requirements have been overlooked so far. In this study, we examine the fabrication and performance of a polybenzimidazole-benzophenone (PBI-BP) composite nanofiber air filter that demonstrates superb UV resistance and chemical and thermal durability. Because of the UV absorbance of the BP in the nanofibers, the filter membrane is robust even under prolonged UV exposure, which is essential for filters for this purpose. The filter membrane is not damaged even after treatment in strong acids or annealing at high temperature up to 400 °C. Thus, the PBI-BP composite filter is suitable for practical application in window air filters and can be adapted to develop filters used under other harsh environments.
Keywords: UV resistant air filter; chemical stability; polybenzimidazole nanofiber; thermal stability; window air filter.