Molecular, Surface, and Continuum Issues in the Capture of Bacteria Particles by Solid Aerosols

摘要

In this study, we develop the design parameters required to remove airborne biological particles by impact with scavenging aerosols. The conditions for capturing airborne biological particles for a head-on collision are determined as a function of each particle's mass, radius, incident velocity, and modulus of elasticity, the attractive or repulsive force between them, and the binding energy created during impact. Estimates of the radii of bacteria particles that can be captured are determined as a function of the material parameters, binding energy, and kinetic energy of the interacting particles. Surface chemistry approaches for creating desired scavenger materials are identified. Molecular simulations of the interaction between the scavenger and bacteria particles offer a cost-effective manner of computing such factors. Designing surface chemistry to strengthen the boundary interactions is crucial to maximizing scavenger capability. Weak van der Waals and pair-wise electrostatic interactions may not be sufficient to capture particles with an upper range of kinetic energy.