Ground-level ozone poses a serious threat to human health. However, developing catalytic membranes with high ozone conversion, low resistance, and long-term durability under humid conditions remains challenging. Here, we introduce a selective swelling-induced segmental reorganization strategy for fabricating perforating catalyst-embedded nanofibrous membranes for efficient ozone decomposition. Using polysulfone-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PSF-b-PEG, abbreviated as SFEG) as a scaffold, the controlled swelling process generates interconnected through-channels within individual nanofibers, enhancing the accessibility of catalytically active sites. In combination with the interconnected inter-fiber pores formed by fiber stacking during electrospinning, a continuous through-pore network is established, enabling efficient gas transport at a low pressure drop. Also, migrated PEG segments create a moisture-compatible environment that regulates water interaction, thereby maintaining high catalytic activity under humid conditions. Versatility of this approach enables the fabrication of diverse catalyst-embedded membranes, exhibiting outstanding performance in ozone elimination. Nearly complete ozone conversion (∼100%) is achieved with a pressure drop of only 0.15% of atmospheric pressure, while long-term filtration efficiency maintains over 99% for 600 h under humid conditions. This membrane-engineering strategy paves the way for the development of advanced catalytic membranes for sustainable air purification applications.
Bian et al. (2026) studied this question.