@article{Smaradhana:2025:10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c00041,
author = {Smaradhana, DF and Li, J and Lee, K-Y},
doi = {10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c00041},
journal = {ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering},
pages = {6209--6221},
title = {Moldable and plastic-free nonwoven aerosolized particulate filters made from oil palm empty fruit bunch and hairy cellulose fibers},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c00041},
volume = {13},
year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
AB  - Addressing the environmental impact of conventional air filters made from fossil-derived polymers is critical for advancing sustainable air filtration materials. This study presents plastic-free nonwoven air filters produced from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers using (hairy) cellulose fibers as binders through a manufacturing process akin to papermaking. Refining the cellulose fibers introduces ″hairy″ microfibrils and fines, which enhance the structure and performance of the nonwovens. With only 10 wt % hairy cellulose pulp refined for 30 min, the EFB/hairy cellulose fiber nonwoven achieves a filtration efficiency of ∼98% for PM1 and a high quality factor of ∼36 kPa−1, demonstrating excellent filtration performance with low pressure drop. These nonwovens also exhibit exceptional formability, allowing direct molding from the never-dried state or remolding via steam rewetting with minimal loss in filtration efficiency (less than 1.5%pt). Lifecycle assessment (LCA) results indicate that the production of EFB/hairy cellulose fiber nonwovens has significantly lower impacts in global warming potential and all end point categories (human health, ecosystem quality, and resource scarcity) compared to polyester-based air filters. Our work paves the way for upcycling oil palm waste into high-value air filtration materials, reducing the reliance on fossil-derived air filters.
AU  - Smaradhana,DF
AU  - Li,J
AU  - Lee,K-Y
DO  - 10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c00041
EP  - 6221
PY  - 2025///
SN  - 2168-0485
SP  - 6209
TI  - Moldable and plastic-free nonwoven aerosolized particulate filters made from oil palm empty fruit bunch and hairy cellulose fibers
T2  - ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c00041
UR  - https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c00041
VL  - 13
ER  - 

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