Developing and characterization of an ultrafine filter made of banana leaf and water hyacinth to reduce motorcycle emission

PM _0.1 (ultrafine particles) emitted by motorcycles have been known as the major contributors to air pollution, and have a harmful impact on human health. Therefore, there is a need to decrease the concentration in the ambient air. In this study, we developed an ultrafine particle filter that was made of banana leaf powder (F b) and water hyacinth powder (Eichhornia crassipes, F_wh). The powder was mixed to glutinous rice glue in the ratio of 80%:20%. The filter was characterized by the efficiency. The efficiency of the filter in reducing the ultrafine particles was determined by measuring the ultrafine particle concentration before and after passing through the filter. The ultrafine particle concentration was measured using the TSI P-Trak Ultrafine Particle Counter (Model 8525) for an hour with the sampling time interval of 5 min. The microstructure and the element contents of the filter were analyzed by an SEM and EDAX to determine the filter porosity and the filter element compound. The results show that the porosities were found 33% (F_b) and 21% (F_wh) and the filter contained organic and inorganic compounds. The filter efficiency was in the range of 55% to 64% for F b and 35% to 59% for F_wh, respectively.