Electret-containing filter media

Abstract

Filter media, such as electret-containing filtration media for filtering gas streams (e.g., air), are described herein. In some embodiments, the filter media may be designed to have desirable properties such as stable filtration efficiency over the lifetime of the filter media, increased normalized gamma, relatively low pressure drop (i.e. resistance), and/or relatively low basis weight. In certain embodiments, the filter media may be a composite of two or more types of fiber layers where each layer may be designed to enhance its function without substantially negatively impacting the performance of another layer of the media. For example, one layer of the media may be designed to have a relatively low basis weight and/or a relatively high air permeability, and another layer of the media may be designed to have stable filtration efficiency and/or a relatively high efficiency throughout the filter media's lifetime. The filter media described herein may be particularly well-suited for applications that involve filtering gas streams (e.g., face masks, cabin air filtration, vacuum filtration, room filtration, furnace filtration, respirator equipment, residential or industrial HVAC filtration, high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filters, ultra-low particular air (ULPA) filters, medical equipment), though the media may also be used in other applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter media, comprising:
 an open support layer; and   a charged fiber layer mechanically attached to the open support layer,   wherein the charged fiber layer comprises a first plurality of fibers comprising a first polymer and a second plurality of fibers comprising a second polymer,   wherein the first polymer is acrylic, and   wherein the open support layer is a mesh having an air permeability of greater than 1100 CFM and less than or equal to 20000 CFM.