Experimental and theoretical validation of nano filters fabricated through green synthesized silver nanoparticles

The present study focuses on fabrication of nanofibrous membrane to filter microbial aerosols using silver nanoparticles. Nanofibrous membrane was formed with silver nanoparticles (AgNp) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) using electro spinning technology. The optimized nanofibers were characterized for the effective formation, morphology, and thermal sensitivity using High Resolution Scanning Electron microscopy (HR-SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Thermo gravimetric study (TGA). Chemical components present in the aqueous leaf extract that reduces the monovalent silver were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. HR-SEM analysis confirmed homogenous fiber diameter with smooth surface for the obtained AgNPs-PVB membranes. The PVB loaded AgNPs have shown up to 19% weight loss at 956°C which was ascertained through TGA. Microbial loading on the filter, microbial survival, filtration efficiency, and antimicrobial efficiency of the fabricated membrane were evaluated. The fabricated membrane exhibited both bacterial and fungal filtration efficiency to an extent of 98.81% and 98.85%, respectively. Experimental data were compared theoretically using predicted mathematical model that established best fitting and was highly compatible.