Highly Efficient Air Sterilization via Low-Temperature Interfacial Evaporation in Inductively Heated Superhydrophilic Ferromagnetic Filters

Abstract

The scientific evidence supporting airborne transmission of pathogens in closed spaces highlights the inefficiency of current air circulation and filtration technologies (e.g., HEPA filters, UV, ozone, ionization) in preventing the spread of airborne pathogens. This underscores the urgent need for new air disinfection devices. Here, the first air sterilization technology is presented based on low-temperature interfacial evaporation. This novel approach integrates superhydrophilic micro/nano-structured stainless-steel filters and ultra-efficient magnetic inductive heating to enable complete evaporation of water from the contaminated aerosols and the precipitation of all the organic and inorganic residues within the filter at temperatures in the range of 60–80 °C. The technology is validated through experiments with contaminated aerosols with different active viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), demonstrating the elimination of 99.6% or more of the nebulized viruses, at filter temperatures of 60–80 °C and airflow rates of 15 L min⁻¹. The filters also support pyrolytic self-cleaning and reuse, ensuring extended service time and minimal maintenance. This air sterilization technology represents a significant advancement over existing state-of-the-art filtering technology, offering unmatched versatility, low energy consumption, and cost-effective sterilization, without generating harmful radicals, dangerous high voltages, or high temperatures.