Design and development of a passive bioaerosol sampler using polarized ferroelectric polymer film. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Therkorn, Jennifer; Thomas, Nirmala; Calderón, Leonardo; Scheinbeim, Jerry; Mainelis, Gediminas
• Is Part Of: Journal of aerosol science. Volume 105(2017)
• Page Start: 128
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Passive bioaerosol sampler -- Passive sampler design and development -- Polarized ferroelectric polymer film -- Electrostatic particle collection; Aerosols -- Periodicals; Aerosols -- Periodicals; Aérosols -- Périodiques; 541.34515
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2016.12.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8502

Abstract

Abstract: Passive samplers are needed to collect bioaerosols over broad spatiotemporal scales. Here, we present the design and development process of a novel, passive bioaerosol sampler using polarized, ferroelectric polymer film (poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF). First, the elution efficiencies of spiked bacteria and fungal spores from PVDF, prototype film holder materials (3D-printed plastics), and controls (PTFE filters and electrostatic dust cloths) were investigated. Second, a wind tunnel was used to determine optimal air channel widths between parallel sheets of PVDF for efficient collection of charge neutralized and non-charge neutralized test particles in viral, bacterial and fungal size ranges flowing with typical indoor air velocities. Particle collection efficiencies were then compared for PVDF, a PVDF copolymer (77% PVDF, 23% TrFE) and control materials (polyvinylchloride and polyfluoroalkoxy alkane). Third, a calm air settling chamber was used for proof of concept tests. Spiked microorganisms were removed with 100% elution efficiency from the PVDF and 3D-print materials. PVDF gave significantly greater collection efficiency (~30%) when using air channel widths of 2.25 mm compared to other tested widths (p<0.001). Compared to control materials, PVDF gave 13% to 30% greater collection efficiencies across all tested particle size ranges for charge neutralized and non-charge neutralized particles (p<0.001). In the calm air chamber, a spiral film prototype sampler with poled PVDF provided a greater than six-fold increase in captured bacterial quantity compared to gravimetric settling onto a 25 mm reference filter (p<0.05). This passive sampler concept offers many benefits compared to other active and passive bioaerosol samplers: small size and portability, increased bioaerosol collection compared to controls, capture of all bioaerosol particle sizes including nano-sized particles, expedited particle elution, and easy sampler production by 3D-printing. The next stage of research will be outdoor field testing to determine the collection efficiency for culturable and non-culturable samples. Highlights: A passive bioaerosol sampler is developed using polarized, ferroelectric polymer. The sampler's air channel width was optimized for most efficient particle capture. Charge-neutralized particles from 0.014 µm to 5 µm captured efficiently. 100% elution of spiked microbes from all sampler surfaces. Passive sampler enhanced capture of bacteria more than 6-fold compared to controls.