Research Appraisals

Advances in colloid and interface science

Electrospun nanofibrous membranes for self-powered wearable air filtration systems

With the growth of society and industrialization, air pollution has intensified, disturbing the ecological balance and presenting considerable risks to human health. The development of intelligent wearable protective systems is a major breakthrough in real-time health monitoring and prevention, greatly improving personal health management outcomes. An optimal smart air filtration system must demonstrate reliable filtration efficiency, minimal air resistance, and incorporate features for health monitoring and interaction with users. As a result, it is essential to create innovative materials for air filtration that can effectively trap particulate matter (PM). The adaptability, high surface area, interconnected porosity, and configurable morphology of electrospun nanofibers make them a highly promising platform for developing high-performance air filtration media. The conversion of ambient mechanical vibrations into electrical power by piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators (PENGs and TENGs) has emerged as a practical strategy for effective energy harvesting. Integrating self-powered technologies with fibrous air filtration materials to efficiently eliminate fine particulate matter provides a new and sustainable approach to air purification. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in electrospun nanofibrous membranes for self-powered, intelligent, wearable air filtration systems. It begins with an analysis of the fundamental mechanisms of air filtration, the criteria for performance evaluation, and the principles of electrospinning technology. Subsequently, the practical application performance of these filtration systems is critically examined. Finally, the review outlines prospective research directions and discusses the remaining challenges confronting self-powered air filtration systems.