Air purification through fiber-based filters has become a fundamental requirement for air contamination control. However, conventional filters depend on polymeric fibrous filters with adequate particulate matter removal ability but fewer degassing and biocidal effects. This study presents the photocatalytic volatile organic compound (VOC) oxidation and antimicrobial properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-spines sprouted activated-carbon nanofibers (I@ZnO/ACNFs) and their potential for air contamination control and infection prevention. By developing a novel technique that can induce phase separation of inorganic salts during electrospinning, nanofibers with zinc (Zn) components concentrated on the surface could be synthesized. I@ZnO/ACNFs exhibit a surface densely covered with high aspect-ratio ZnO nano-spines with significant lethality to airborne pathogens and enhanced photocatalytic activity toward VOCs. Moreover, excellent adhesion stability of ZnO to ACNFs under rapid airflow was observed in I@ZnO/ACNFs. In combination with intriguing antimicrobial activity and strong VOC removal capability derived from their unique morphology, novel I@ZnO/ACNFs hold potential for airborne microbial disinfection, effective and sustainable VOC purification, and the design of photomicrobicidal and photocatalytic materials.

通过基于纤维的过滤器净化空气已成为空气污染控制的基本要求。然而，传统过滤器依赖于具有足够的颗粒物去除能力但脱气和杀生物作用较少的聚合物纤维过滤器。本研究介绍了氧化锌 (ZnO) 纳米刺发芽活性碳纳米纤维 (I@ZnO/ACNFs) 的光催化挥发性有机化合物 (VOC) 氧化和抗菌性能，以及它们在控制空气污染和预防感染方面的潜力。通过开发一种可以在静电纺丝过程中诱导无机盐相分离的新技术，可以合成具有集中在表面上的锌 (Zn) 成分的纳米纤维。I@ZnO/ACNFs 的表面被高纵横比的 ZnO 纳米刺密集覆盖，对空气传播的病原体具有显着的杀伤力，并增强了对 VOCs 的光催化活性。此外，在 I@ZnO/ACNFs 中观察到 ZnO 在快速气流下对 ACNFs 的优异粘附稳定性。结合有趣的抗菌活性和源自其独特形态的强大 VOC 去除能力，新型 I@ZnO/ACNF 在空气微生物消毒、有效和可持续的 VOC 净化以及光杀菌和光催化材料的设计方面具有潜力。