Title: Highly efficient air purification by a charge-induced liquid-lined filter

Authors: Zhang, Jian; Li, Ming; Chen, Sitong; Guo, Ziwen; Yang, Bo; Li, Linjun; Zhou, Xuan; Zhang, Jian; Ye, Chenxin; Liu, Jing; Yao, Wei; Zhang, Yunmao; Hou, Xu

Abstract: Air purification systems often face a difficult trade-off: achieving high pollutant removal efficiency usually comes at the expense of filter lifetime, energy use or maintenance cost. Here we introduce a charge-induced liquid-lined filter that overcomes these constraints through a three-stage absorption mechanism: long-range electrostatic attraction, rapid interfacial capture and high-capacity bulk-phase absorption. The charge-induced liquid-lined filter achieves single-pass purification efficiency up to 99.6% at a face velocity of 1 m s −1 , with a refillable and dynamic liquid lining that prevents clogging and maintains high performance over 3,500 h of continuous operation. A full-scale air cleaner prototype incorporating the charge-induced liquid-lined filter enables a clean-air delivery rate of 377 m 3 h −1 . We further demonstrate its broad applicability by implementing filters across a range of real-world applications, from personal protective masks to air purification systems compatible with microgravity environments. These results demonstrate a scalable, durable and energy-efficient pathway to sustainable air purification.

Full-Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-026-01920-w