Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, cilt.33, sa.10, ss.4364-4377, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
This study reports the fabrication of sustainable, biodegradable fibrous membranes via electrospinning for dual-function air filtration particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) removal and antibacterial activity. Natural rosin (R) and modified rosin (MR; pentaerythritol ester rosin) were employed for their inherent antimicrobial properties, while polylactic acid (PLA) was incorporated as a bio-based plasticizer to enhance electrospinnability. Process parameters including polymer concentration, rosin-to-PLA ratio, solution volume, applied voltage, and flow rate were systematically optimized using SEM-based morphological analysis. Among the formulations, 40% MR/PLA composition exhibited uniform fiber morphology and was selected for performance evaluation. Real-scale filtration tests using 2% NaCl-neutralized aerosols demonstrated PM2.5 and PM10 removal efficiencies of 97.0% and 97.9%, respectively. In comparison, PLA-only membranes (10% PLA) achieved higher filtration efficiencies (99.0% for PM2.5 and 99.2% for PM10) but lacked antimicrobial properties. Antibacterial assays against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis confirmed that 40% MR/PLA membranes exhibited clear inhibition zones (9.50 +/- 0.50 mm, 8.50 +/- 0.50 mm, and 9.83 +/- 1.04 mm), indicating effective antimicrobial performance. Despite a minor compromise in filtration efficiency, the incorporation of modified rosin imparted robust antibacterial functionality, positioning the composite as a viable candidate for bio-based, multifunctional air filtration systems. The results underline the potential of rosin-based materials in developing eco-conscious alternatives to conventional synthetic filters.