Researchers have found a way to improve air filtration performance utilising an innovative self-renewing adhesive coating designed to improve particle retention.
The coating overcomes a common problem with conventional filters which struggle to securely retain captured particles which can detach over time reducing filtration performance.
Researchers from Chung-Ang University and Pusan National University have developed an innovative self-renewing adhesive coating designed to improve particle retention, paving the way for more efficient and durable air filtration technologies.
A study led by Professor Sanghyuk Wooh from Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea and Prof. Chae Bin Kim from Pusan National University, Republic of Korea, developed a dynamic imine bond adhesive (DIBA), a self-renewing coating that combines the stability of a solid with the particle-grabbing ability of a liquid.
The researchers spray-coated a thin DIBA layer onto commercially available air filter media and characterised its chemical, mechanical, and adhesive properties using rheology, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and microscopy.
They then evaluated filtration efficiency, pressure drop, particle resuspension, high-speed airflow performance, and long-term durability.
The DIBA coating significantly improved both particle retention and filtration performance. By forming capillary-driven adhesive bridges around captured particles, it increased particle adhesion by nearly 70-fold while continuously renewing its adhesive surface.
This translated into a 10–30% improvement in filtration efficiency across multiple commercial filter materials without increasing pressure drop, upgrading filter performance from minimum efficiency report value (MERV) 6 to MERV 11.
The coated filters also maintained efficient particulate matter capture under airflow speeds of up to 20 m/s and delayed pore clogging, extending filter lifespan by nearly a factor of two compared to conventional filters.
The technology also shows strong potential for real-world implementation. Because the DIBA coating can be applied using a simple spray-coating process, it is compatible with existing commercial filter materials, enabling easy integration into current filtration systems.
“This technology could improve a wide range of filtration systems where both high capture efficiency and long operational lifetime are important, including HVAC systems, home air purifiers, industrial dust collectors, cleanrooms, automotive cabin filters, and personal protective equipment,” Kim said.
Looking ahead, the researchers believe the technology could extend beyond air filtration.
"The dynamic adhesive concept could enable next-generation filtration systems that capture pollutants more efficiently, require less energy, and operate significantly longer before replacement," Wooh said.
“Beyond air filters, the same principles could be adapted for water purification, environmental remediation, dust-free manufacturing, and advanced particle handling.”