Carbon nanotube-based photothermal membrane for efficient cold air heating and removal of particulate matter and airborne bacteria

Abstract

Indoor heating results in high energy consumption and severe atmospheric pollution. Although the development of solar air heaters provides a sustainable route for indoor thermal comfort, such heaters still face challenges in terms of adequate heat exchange and filtering of atmospheric pollutants. Inspired by solar-driven interfacial evaporation, we propose a multifunctional carbon nanotube-based photothermal membrane for efficient cold air heating and purification via ventilation. Carbon nanotubes endow the membrane with high light absorption and thermal conversion capabilities, thereby sufficiently heating the approaching cold air. With the hierarchical structure formed by phase inversion, the thin upper skin of the composite membrane intercepts micropollutants via the size-sieving effect, whereas the finger-like pores and interpenetrating macrovoids inside the membrane ensure that the heated clear air passes through quickly. A proof-of-principle experiment indicated a cold airflow of 1 L/min across the membrane, yielding a temperature increase of ca. 37 °C as well as a PM 2.5 rejection always higher than 93%. Further antibacterial experiments demonstrated that the membrane effectively removed airborne bacteria. This multifunctional carbon nanotube-based photothermal membrane with specific microstructures not only improves the indoor living quality but also provides a sustainable development scheme to coordinate the relationship among energy utilization, building heating, and air purification.