The growing demand for high-efficiency air filtration materials has intensified interest in multifunctional nanofiber media that combine particle capture, antimicrobial activity, and low airflow resistance. In this study, electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous layers functionalized with a plant-derived antibacterial agent (thyme extract) were benchmarked against nanofibers containing a widely used synthetic additive (ZIF-8 metal–organic framework) to evaluate their suitability for advanced filtration applications.

Nanofiber membranes were produced under controlled electrospinning conditions with varying additive loadings and assessed in terms of structural characteristics, airflow resistance, particle filtration efficiency, and antibacterial performance. The results demonstrated that optimized nanofiber formulations achieved high submicron particle removal while maintaining low pressure drop, outperforming conventional melt-blown filtration media. Notably, nanofibers incorporating the natural antibacterial agent exhibited enhanced bacterial inactivation over typical mask usage periods, without compromising filtration performance or breathability.

Beyond filtration efficiency, the findings highlight the potential advantages of bio-based functional additives in reducing concerns related to toxicity, environmental release, and long-term exposure associated with synthetic antimicrobial agents. From an industrial perspective, these results support the feasibility of integrating natural antibacterial compounds into electrospun filtration layers as a sustainable alternative for next-generation face masks and air filtration systems. This work provides practical insight into the design of multifunctional nanofiber filter media and contributes to the development of safer, environmentally responsible filtration technologies aligned with emerging regulatory and sustainability requirements in the filtration industry.