Mof-based air filter for simultaneous VOC removal and pathogen disinfection

Overview

Indoor and workplace air quality is a growing concern as facilities seek protection against both chemical vapors and biological contaminants. This solution integrates metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), highly porous crystalline materials built from organic linkers and metal ions, onto standard commercial air filters to deliver dual-function air cleaning. The technology targets simultaneous removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and airborne pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, addressing a gap left by conventional filters that address only particulates.

The approach leverages two biosafe MOF platforms: a zirconium-based MOF coated with a positively charged antimicrobial polymer for face-mask applications, and a titanium-based MOF applied to commercial MERV-13 filters for HVAC and building ventilation use. The result is a drop-in filter upgrade that adds VOC adsorption and antimicrobial function without sacrificing baseline particle filtration performance.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• MOF coatings applied to standard MERV-13 filter media without altering baseline particle filtration performance per ISO 21083-1:2018
• High surface-area MOF crystals provide adsorption capacity for VOC gases, demonstrated by 61.5% removal of toluene at 5 ppm concentration and 5 cm/s face velocity
• Positively charged antimicrobial polymer layer on zirconium-based MOF delivers broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral activity
• Titanium-based MOF variant confirmed effective against representative pathogenic bacteria and viruses in biological testing
• Compatible with existing HVAC filter formats, enabling straightforward retrofit deployment
• Electrospun nanofibrous prototype embedding MOF material achieved N95-level filtration with greater than 95% antibacterial efficiency

How it works: The MOF's intrinsic porosity captures VOC molecules through adsorption, while the surface-engineered antimicrobial coating inactivates pathogens on contact as air passes through the filter.

Technology readiness level

The technology is at an advanced prototype stage (TRL 5–6). A titanium-based MOF-coated MERV-13 filter has been validated against ISO particle filtration standards and tested for VOC adsorption and antimicrobial performance. A separate electrospun nanofibrous MOF prototype has demonstrated N95-level filtration and greater than 95% antibacterial efficiency in laboratory testing.

Next-stage validation planned (1–2 years):

• Surface modification of the titanium-based MOF to improve antimicrobial potency
• Systematic testing of particle filtration and VOC removal against industrial standards
• Optimization of MOF loading parameters on commercial filter substrates
• Expanded biological testing with additional pathogen models, including bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi

The research team is actively seeking partnership support for expanded biological validation and is open to co-development arrangements to advance the filter toward commercial readiness.