With the growth of organized societies and the advent of hydraulic structures, aqueducts, and early drainage systems, anthropogenic contamination began to broadly impact water systems. The true turning point came with the Industrial Revolution. Fossil fuel combustion and large-scale manufacture as well as intensive chemical production rapidly expanded; never before had such volumes of emissions been released into the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
Pollution evolved from being a localized environmental burden to attaining dimensions of a crisis at a global scale in the modern era. Now a days the anthropogenic pollution is now even seen in rural areas. And the pristine surrounding because of the long-range transport. Like for example the microplastic found in the polar snow and deep marines shows the effect of human generated contaminations. Thus, what we initially thought as a accidental by product has now become a widespread environmental emergency that has become a serous risk to ecological system, biodiversity and public healt all over the world.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Type of Pollution
Chapter 2 Type of air pollutant and pollution
Chapter 3 Experimentation
Chapter 4 Result And Discussion
Chapter 5 Application
Chapter 6 Toxicology and Safety Assessment
Publication
Conclusion
References
Conference
Research Objectives and Key Topics
The primary objective of this project is to develop and evaluate an eco-friendly air filtration system that utilizes natural herbal and agricultural waste to effectively mitigate airborne pollutants, specifically N2O gas, while promoting sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to synthetic filters.
- Synthesis and characterization of manganese dioxide (MnO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles.
- Fabrication of a composite filter unit using Corchorus olitorius (jute) fibers and functionalized coatings.
- Scientific assessment of filtration efficiency regarding particulate matter and gaseous contaminants.
- Evaluation of the toxicological safety and environmental sustainability of the proposed nanomaterial-based solution.
Excerpt from the Book
3.6 Fabrication of the Composite Filter Unit
The prepared Corchorus olitorius (jute) filter medium was affixed to an aluminum frame using a strong industrial adhesive (Bond®) to ensure secure attachment and mechanical stability during air filtration operation.
To ensure consistent airflow resistance and steady filtration performance, the jute matrix was thoughtfully placed throughout the frame. Manganese dioxide (MnO2) was suspended by dispersing 15 g of powdered MnO2 in 3 L of deionised water while swirling constantly to create a homogenous slurry. The same concentration-to volume ratios were maintained while creating equivalent suspensions for titanium dioxide (TiO2) and activated carbon. The filter cartridge's coating was applied in the following order:
1. Coating of MnO2: A spray-coating technique was used to evenly apply the MnO2 solution to the cartridge surface. To get rid of extra moisture and promote good adhesion, the coated unit was let to air-dry at room temperature.
2. TiO2 coating: The TiO2 suspension was evenly sprayed over the MnO2 layer once it had fully dried. The cartridge was again air-dried to ensure proper fixation of the TiO2 layer.
3. The activated carbon suspension was evenly sprayed onto the cartridge coated with the nanocomposite to create the final layer. After then, the cartridge was allowed to air dry in order to create a stable, multilayered structure. A functionalised filter with combined catalytic activity (from MnO2 and TiO2) and adsorption capacity (from activated charcoal) was created using this sequential deposition technique, increasing the filter's potential for sophisticated water purification applications.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: Type of Pollution: This chapter provides an overview of various forms of environmental contamination, including air, water, and soil pollution, and their severe impacts on ecological and human health.
Chapter 2: Type of air pollutant and pollution: This section categorizes air pollutants into primary and secondary types and explains their chemical behaviors and sources in the atmosphere.
Chapter 3: Experimentation: This chapter details the laboratory methodology used to synthesize nanomaterials and fabricate the composite jute-based air filter.
Chapter 4: Result And Discussion: This chapter presents the characterization data, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and XRD analysis, confirming the structural properties of the synthesized nanoparticles.
Chapter 5: Application: This chapter explores potential real-world uses for eco-friendly filters, ranging from residential and healthcare settings to industrial and space applications.
Chapter 6: Toxicology and Safety Assessment: This section addresses the safety profiles of the used nanomaterials, including leaching risks and cytotoxicity, and presents quantitative pollutant removal efficiency results.
Keywords
Nanotechnology, Air Purification, Titanium Dioxide, Manganese Dioxide, Corchorus olitorius, Jute, Photocatalysis, Environmental Remediation, Nanoparticles, Sustainability, Biodegradable, Air Pollution, Toxicology, Composite Filters, Emission Control
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research project?
The research focuses on the design and fabrication of an eco-friendly air filter system utilizing herbal and agricultural waste, specifically jute, combined with metal oxide nanoparticles for efficient air purification.
What are the primary fields of application for these filters?
The filters are designed for diverse applications, including residential indoor air quality, healthcare facilities, industrial emission control, transportation cabin filters, and aerospace environments.
What is the main objective regarding environmental impact?
The project aims to replace non-biodegradable synthetic filters (typically polyester or polypropylene) with sustainable, compostable alternatives to reduce microplastic waste and environmental degradation.
Which scientific methods were employed to analyze the materials?
The materials were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the detailed synthesis of MnO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles, the extraction process of jute fibers, the specific fabrication steps for the composite filter, and rigorous performance testing.
Which key terms best describe this work?
The key terms include Nanotechnology, Air Purification, Photocatalysis, Sustainable Materials, Jute-based Filters, and Environmental Remediation.
How was the pollutant removal efficiency measured?
The efficiency was computed using the formula (Cin - Cout) / Cin * 100, based on testing conducted by Equinox Laboratory on gaseous pollutants and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10, PM14).
What were the major conclusions regarding filter performance?
The filter demonstrated an average removal efficiency of 86.1% for both particulate and gaseous contaminants, proving it is a high-performance and cost-effective alternative to conventional filtration technologies.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Neha Mishra (Author), Soni Singh (Author), 2025, Eco-Friendly Filtration. Designing Next-Gen Air Filters from Herbal and Agricultural Waste for N2O Gas, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1618223
