Electrostatic filtration media play a crucial role in various applications, including air purification, but predominantly rely on fossil-based polymeric electret fibers. As concerns about climate change and environmental pollution escalate due to increased fossil fuel usage, there is a pressing need to transition to renewable and sustainable materials. This study aims to explore bio-based and degradable materials as potential alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based insulation materials for electrostatic filtration media. The research involves a comprehensive examination of the electrical properties of these materials to identify suitable candidates for full replacement or further development.

Dielectrics, which are materials with permanent electric dipole moments, are essential for electrostatic filter media, as they store electrical energy. The dielectric constant, a key property for these materials, influences energy storage and dissipation. For electrostatic applications, low dielectric constant is preferable, along with high thermal stability, mechanical strength, and low dissipation factor.

Polymers, as common dielectric materials, can be polar or non-polar depending on their chemical structure. Non-polar polymers are desirable for electrostatic fibers due to their high resistivity and low dielectric constants. Additionally, factors such as surface energy, crystallinity, and orientation play significant roles in determining the electrical properties of polymers.

The research investigates various bio-based and degradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) alongside conventional polymers. While PLA exhibits acceptable electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, PHB shows good electrical properties but requires improvement in mechanical and thermal aspects. Some hydrocarbon ad fluorocarbon polymers are also compared as a state of the art for their exceptional dielectric properties.

The study delves into the relationship between chemical structure and electrical properties, highlighting the importance of understanding polarizability, polarity, dielectric loss tangent, and dielectric constant. It also emphasizes the necessity of measuring dielectric properties under similar test conditions for meaningful comparison.

Moreover, the research explores the influence of processing conditions and additives on the microstructure of polymeric fibers to manipulate their electrical properties. Results indicate that ...