Abstract The design of a new air filter for air-conditioning systems needs to properly manage antimicrobial activity and heat transfer performance. In this work, a hybrid nanofilter of polypropylene coated with silver nanoparticles and multiwall carbon nanotubes (Ag-MWCNTs/PP) was prepared using a modified impregnation technique under vacuum. The results demonstrated a high dispersion of AgNPs (∼18 nm) and MWCNTs on the polymer fibers. The antimicrobial activity of the nanofilters was evaluated against Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. A dramatic ability to kill all types of bacteria by 100 % was observed after adding 2 mg/mL of Ag-MWCNTs. Moreover, the pressure drop and convective heat transfer across the nanofilter were evaluated by building a special testing apparatus. The pressure drop rose with increases in the air velocity. Additionally, a high heat transfer coefficient with increases in the air velocity was achieved, with values of 52.5 and 47.3 W/m2.K for the working temperatures of 20 and 30 °C, respectively. Also, the thermal conductivity of the nanofilter was enhanced significantly by 36 %, 48 %, and 68 % at additions of 1, 2, and 3 mg/mL, respectively. The prepared nanofilter showed high efficiency, low cost, and applicability for commercial production.

中文翻译：

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使用混合聚丙烯纳米过滤器提高空调系统的空气质量和传热率

摘要 用于空调系统的新型空气过滤器的设计需要正确管理抗菌活性和传热性能。在这项工作中，使用改进的真空浸渍技术制备了涂有银纳米颗粒和多壁碳纳米管 (Ag-MWCNTs/PP) 的聚丙烯混合纳米过滤器。结果表明，聚合物纤维上的 AgNPs（~18 nm）和 MWCNTs 高度分散。纳米过滤器对肠道沙门氏菌、铜绿假单胞菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抗菌活性进行了评估。添加 2 mg/mL Ag-MWCNTs 后，观察到 100% 杀死所有类型细菌的惊人能力。此外，通过构建一个特殊的测试设备来评估穿过纳米过滤器的压降和对流传热。压降随着空气速度的增加而上升。此外，随着空气速度的增加，实现了高传热系数，在 20°C 和 30°C 的工作温度下，传热系数分别为 52.5 和 47.3 W/m2.K。此外，纳米过滤器的热导率分别在 1、2 和 3 mg/mL 的添加量下显着提高了 36%、48% 和 68%。制备的纳米过滤器显示出高效、低成本和商业化生产的适用性。分别。制备的纳米过滤器显示出高效、低成本和商业化生产的适用性。分别。制备的纳米过滤器显示出高效、低成本和商业化生产的适用性。