(41c) Synthesis of Vapor Grown Carbon Fibers (VGCF) On Sintered Metal Fibers (SMF) for Air-Filtration

Air filters need to be optimized for three properties: (1) filtration efficiency, (2) pressure drop across filter and (3) dirt-holding capacity. Air filtration properties are dependent on various factors like void volume of filter fabric, fiber diameter, filter thickness, filter media pleating etc. Non-woven fabrics are typically used as air filter media. The preform of metal filter fabric was made by wet-lay process employing nickel metal fibers which yielded a non-woven fabric. The non-woven preform was sintered at high temperature of ~1000°C in reducing environment. This SMF fabric was used as substrate for synthesis of VGCF without any additional deposition of catalyst. The synthesis of VGCF allows for changes in the morphology of metal fibers by changing the surface roughness of fibers. The increase in surface roughness of metal fibers has increased the air-filtration efficiency without substantial increase in pressure drop across the filter media. This translates into energy savings for the lifetime of the filter. The effect of increase in fiber roughness has been studied for SMF fabrics made of different fiber diameter. The results of filtration efficiency tests and growth of VGCF on SMF will be presented.