JP2017131890A - Electrostatic filter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrostatic filter in which collection efficiency does not decrease significantly in a short period and the high collection efficiency can last for a longer term.SOLUTION: An electrostatic filter includes charged nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric includes a first component composed of thermoplastic resin, and a second component composed of thermoplastic resin having a melting point after spinning higher than a melting point of the first component after spinning, and also includes odd-form cross-sectional composite fiber formed by the first component covering at least a part of a surface of the second component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic filter using a modified cross-section composite fiber.

  In recent years, nonwoven fabrics used in air purifiers and masks are required to have a high-efficiency collection and removal of fine particles in gas (particularly fine particles of 0.5 μm or less, such as dust, dust, dust, pollen, and viruses). It has been. An electrostatic filter using an electrostatic force (so-called “electret filter”) is known as a filter that can efficiently collect such fine particles. As such an electrostatic filter, for example, a polypropylene non-woven fabric subjected to a charging process by corona discharge treatment, a non-woven fabric containing wool fibers subjected to a phenolic resin process, and subjected to a charging process in a tanning process, etc. (Patent Documents 1 and 2). In the inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, synthetic fibers are mixed into wool fibers to improve the collection efficiency of the electrostatic filter.

JP 60-44015 A JP 2001-269520 A

  In general, melt-blown non-woven fabric made of polypropylene (single component) is well known as a non-woven fabric that can be subjected to charging treatment such as corona discharge treatment. Recently, however, non-woven fabric made of composite fibers in which other polymer components are combined with polypropylene. There is a need to manufacture electrostatic filters using Such a composite fiber is relatively easy to form a heat-bonded nonwoven fabric in which components having a low melting point are melted or softened by heating to bond the fibers, and is excellent in productivity and economy.

  However, as a result of the inventor's research, in a heat-bonded nonwoven fabric produced using such a composite fiber, even if it is charged, the chargeability is reduced due to spontaneous discharge, and the collection efficiency is significantly reduced over time. It has been found.

  Therefore, in the present invention, even when a non-woven fabric produced using a composite fiber is charged, an electrostatic filter is provided that lasts for a longer period without significantly reducing the collection efficiency in a shorter period. Is an issue.

  As a result of intensive studies, the inventor found that a heat-bonded nonwoven fabric was produced using irregular cross-section composite fibers having irregularities and charged, and found that natural discharge could be significantly prevented, leading to the completion of the present invention. .

  Accordingly, the present invention is an electrostatic filter including a charged non-woven fabric, the non-woven fabric having a first component made of a thermoplastic resin and a melting point after spinning that is higher than the melting point of the first component after spinning. There is provided an electrostatic filter including a second component made of a thermoplastic resin, and the first component includes a modified cross-section composite fiber formed by coating at least a part of the surface of the second component.

  Since the electrostatic filter of the present invention has an irregular fiber cross-section and is not circular, it can retain charges more stably on its surface (especially the recesses). It can prevent deterioration over time, and has a high collection efficiency over a long period of time due to electrostatic force, especially particles with a size of 0.5 μm or less (for example, dust such as dust and smoke, dust, pollen, and viruses) It will continue. Therefore, the present invention can provide an electrostatic filter having a long life (life cycle) in which the collection efficiency lasts for a longer period.

It is sectional drawing of an example of the irregular cross-section composite fiber used for the electrostatic filter of this invention. It is sectional drawing of an example of the irregular cross-section composite fiber used for the electrostatic filter of this invention. It is sectional drawing of an example of the irregular cross-section composite fiber used for the electrostatic filter of this invention. It is sectional drawing of an example of the irregular cross-section composite fiber used for the electrostatic filter of this invention. (A) is a schematic diagram explaining how to obtain L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ , and L ₄ of a modified cross-section composite fiber used in the electrostatic filter of the present invention, and (b) is a composite having a convex portion. It is a schematic diagram explaining how to obtain the center of the fiber. It is a schematic diagram explaining how to obtain | require the angle of the recessed part of the irregular cross-section composite fiber used for the electrostatic filter of this invention. It is a graph which shows the collection efficiency (%) of the electrostatic filter produced by the Example and comparative example of this invention. 3 is an electron micrograph (500 times) showing a cross section of a modified cross-section composite fiber in the electrostatic filter of Example 1. FIG. 3 is an electron micrograph (500 times) showing a cross section of a circular cross-section composite fiber in the electrostatic filter of Comparative Example 1. FIG.

  The electrostatic filter of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “filter”) is capable of capturing fine particles in a gas by using an electrostatic force. The electrostatic filter includes a first component made of a thermoplastic resin and a second component made of a thermoplastic resin having a post-spinning melting point higher than the melting point of the first component after spinning. Can be obtained by charging a non-woven fabric containing a modified cross-section composite fiber (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “atypical cross-section composite fiber”) formed by coating at least a part of the surface of the second component. Therefore, first, the configuration of this modified cross-section composite fiber and its function and effect will be described.

[Deformed cross-section composite fiber]
The deformed cross-section composite fiber used in the present invention has at least a part of the surface of the second component made of the thermoplastic resin having a melting point after spinning higher than the melting point after spinning of the first component made of thermoplastic resin as the first component. It is a fiber formed by coating a component, and its cross-sectional shape is irregular. Therefore, a fiber having a circular cross-sectional shape is not a modified cross-section composite fiber referred to herein.

  In the modified cross-section composite fiber referred to in the present invention, it is preferable that the fiber cross-sectional circumference A is 1.05 times or more of the circumference B of the circle obtained by converting the fiber cross-sectional area into a circle having the same area as viewed from the fiber cross-section. 1.1 times or more is more preferable. With such a configuration, since the fiber surface area is larger than that of the circular fiber, the amount of electrostatic charge is increased, and the area where the particles adhere to the fiber is also increased.

  In the modified cross-section composite fiber used in the present invention, the first component having a low melting point at least partially covers the surface of the second component, and the second component is at least partially coated with the first component. In addition, there may be a portion where the second component is not covered with the first component. When such a deformed cross-section composite fiber is heated at a temperature higher than the melting point of the first component and lower than the melting point of the second component, the first component having a low melting point melts or softens and the fibers are thermally bonded to each other. Can do. By using such a modified cross-section composite fiber, a nonwoven fabric that can be an electrostatic filter can be produced more easily in the present invention.

  The modified cross-section composite fiber is preferably a core-sheath type composite fiber in which the first component constitutes a sheath portion that occupies the entire fiber surface, and the second component constitutes the core portion. It is because the area of the 1st component which coat | covers a 2nd component increases that the fiber to be used is a core-sheath type | mold, and it becomes easy to heat-bond the fibers further.

  In the cross-sectional shape of the core-sheath fiber, the outline of the first component and the outline of the second component are preferably substantially similar. In particular, it is more preferable that the number of convex portions of the first component is the same as the number of convex portions of the second component. This is because by making the cross-section substantially similar, the first component covers the entire second component almost uniformly, and the thermal bonding by the first component can be performed uniformly.

  Further, as described above, the irregular cross-section composite fiber used in the present invention is not circular in cross section, and preferably has 3 or more and 8 or less convex portions on at least a part of the fiber surface, more preferably the fiber surface. At least a portion of each of the protrusions has a recess extending along the length direction of the fiber formed between the protrusions.

  The convex portion of the irregular cross-section composite fiber refers to a portion protruding from the center of the fiber in a cross-sectional shape of a cross section cut by a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the fiber. When there are three or more convex portions, the contour of the cross-sectional shape as a whole has repeated irregularities. When the number of the convex portions is 3 or more, the surface area of the fiber is increased, and it is possible to more effectively prevent the collection efficiency of the electrostatic filter from decreasing with time. Moreover, it may be difficult to obtain a composite fiber having a cross-sectional shape in which the number of convex portions exceeds eight. The number of convex portions is preferably 3 or more and 6 or less, more preferably 3 or 4.

  In this modified cross-section composite fiber, the protruding portions that protrude between the fibers come into contact with each other, so that voids are easily formed between the fibers. In other words, even when the modified cross-section composite fiber is subjected to a heat bonding treatment, two or more fibers are bundled to form a single thick fiber bundle, and a gap between the fibers is easily maintained. Moreover, even if the fibers are in close contact with each other, the concave portions existing between the convex portions are likely to give voids. This is considered to be because the convex portions of other fibers are unlikely to enter the concave portions in the fiber cross section, and therefore the voids of the concave portions are rarely filled. These voids are easily maintained even when the first component is melted or softened by heat treatment. These are considered to be one of the causes for maintaining the collection effect of the electrostatic filter for a long time.

  In addition, the deformed cross-section composite fiber may have a concave portion shallower than that before the heat treatment after the heat treatment, or may approach a polygonal shape having the same number of vertices as the number of convex portions of the second component. For example, when heat treatment is performed on a composite fiber having a four-leaf type cross-sectional shape schematically shown in FIG. This is because the first component melted or softened by the heat treatment moves so as to fill the concave portion of the second component. In this case, although the space | gap resulting from the depth of a recessed part becomes small, since a part of 1st component for forming a fiber intersection moves to a recessed part, the adhesion intersection of fibers becomes small. As a result, the voids (pockets) near the intersections of the fibers have a shape that easily maintains the charged state and easily captures particles of 0.5 μm or less. As described above, in the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the modified cross-section composite fiber after the heat treatment may be different from the cross-sectional shape of the deformed cross-section composite fiber before the heat treatment.

  By having three or more convex portions, a concave portion exists between the convex portions, and this concave portion extends along the length direction of the fiber on the fiber surface like a groove. Such a recess does not need to extend over the entire modified cross-section composite fiber, but may be at least partially. That is, the irregular cross-section composite fiber may not be irregular in part, and may be partially circular.

  It is preferable that the modified cross-section composite fiber has a "<"-shaped concave portion formed by being sandwiched between two curved convex portions. More preferably, the at least one recess forms an acute angle in the cross section of the fiber. Moreover, it is more preferable that the concave portion has a steep valley shape whose bottom surface is linear. Here, as shown in FIG. 6A, the angle of the recess indicates an angle (α) formed by a tangent to both side surfaces of the recess on the bottom surface when the bottom surface of the recess is linear. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the bottom surface of the recess is not linear and has a two-dimensional extension, as shown in FIG. Is the angle formed by the tangent to the side). In this case, when the angles formed by the two side surfaces of the recess on the bottom surface and the bottom surface are different from each other (β, β ′), the smaller angle (β) is set as the angle of the recess. The number of recesses forming an acute angle is preferably 1 or more, and more preferably 2 or more, in one modified cross-section composite fiber. Most preferably, all the recesses form an acute angle.

  Charges are easily held in the recesses forming an acute angle, and particles are easily trapped. Therefore, it is considered that the collection efficiency of the filter is improved by using a modified cross-section composite fiber in which at least one concave portion forms an acute angle. Further, when the concave portion forms an acute angle, the convex portion sandwiching the concave portion has a shape that becomes narrow at the root, and the convex portion is easily separated from the root (including a case where the convex portion is partially broken). As a result, a fine void is formed in the separated portion, and particles are captured also in this void, so that the collection efficiency is further improved. Moreover, since this space | gap is hard to be obstruct | occluded, it is thought that it contributes also to the improvement of the lifetime of a filter. Furthermore, it is considered that the charges stored at such an acute angle are not easily released and the charging effect is maintained for a long time.

The acute angle formed by the recess may be smaller than 90 °, preferably 15 ° to 89 °, more preferably 20 ° to 85 °, and most preferably 30 ° to 80 °. When the acute angle formed by the recess is 15 ° or more, the particles easily enter the recess and are easily captured. The first component by heating treatment is not less crushing fills the recess be melt. When the acute angle formed by the recess is 89 ° or less, relatively small particles that cannot be captured by the inter-fiber gap can be captured by the recess. Moreover, it is difficult to release the captured particles. The acute angle can be adjusted by the number of convex portions or the shape of the convex portions.

  In the modified cross-section composite fiber used in the present invention, the first component is a sheath component, the second component is a core component, and the contours of the two components are both similar and have 3 to 8 protrusions. And at least a part of the fiber surface, the core-sheath type composite fiber having one or a plurality of concave portions formed between the convex portions and extending along the length direction of the fibers. Particularly preferred. This is because charges are easily concentrated in the concave portion of the fiber by a charging process described later. In the first component or the second component, it is even more preferable that at least one of the recesses forms an acute angle in the cross section of the fiber. This is because the concave portion of the irregular cross-section composite fiber forms an acute angle, so that charges are accumulated in the acute angle portion and stay stably for a longer time. Moreover, such a modified cross-section composite fiber is easy to maintain a modified cross section as a whole fiber even after the thermal bonding treatment, and interfiber spaces (particularly, voids formed by recesses) are easily retained in the nonwoven fabric. In addition, such a modified cross-section composite fiber is, for example, a sheath having a smaller wall thickness than the first component that is a heat-bonding component, as compared with a composite fiber having a round cross-section in which the volume ratio of the core component and the sheath component is the same. As an ingredient. When the thickness of the sheath component is small, it is considered that when the fibers are thermally bonded to each other, the gap between the fibers is not excessively blocked, so that a decrease in the collection efficiency of the electrostatic filter is suppressed.

  Alternatively, the modified cross-section composite fiber is composed of a first component and a second component, and the cross-sectional shape of the second component in the cross section of the modified cross-section composite fiber is a modified cross section having 3 to 8 protrusions. And at least a part of the second component has one or a plurality of concave portions formed between the convex portions and extending along the length direction of the fiber, wherein the first component is the second component You may coat | cover the front-end | tip of a convex part. That is, the irregular cross-section composite fiber is composed of a first component and a second component, the second component has an irregular cross section, determines the cross-sectional shape of the entire fiber, and the first component is the entire periphery of the second component. It is possible to cover only a part without covering. In the first or second component, it is more preferable that at least one of the recesses forms an acute angle in the cross section of the fiber. This is because, as described above, charges tend to stay concentrated at such an acute angle portion after the charging process. In the modified cross-section composite fiber in which the cross-sectional shape of the second component is irregular, the acute cross-section and the acute angle of the recess are more easily maintained even after the thermal bonding process (that is, even if the first component melts and deforms). Therefore, if such a modified cross-section composite fiber is used, the effect which the recessed part which forms an acute angle brings can be acquired more notably.

  Examples of the cross-sectional shape of the modified cross-section composite fiber are shown in FIGS. Each of these figures shows a cross section of a composite fiber composed of a first component and a second component. FIG. 1 has a four-leaf shaped cross-sectional shape having four convex portions. The composite fiber 100 in FIG. 1 is a so-called core-sheath type composite fiber in which the first component 1 covers the entire second component 2, and the contour of the first component 1 and the contour of the second component 2 are substantially similar. ing. FIG. 2 has an eight-leaf shaped cross-sectional shape having eight convex portions. The composite fiber 100 in FIG. 2 is a so-called core-sheath type composite fiber in which the first component 1 covers the entire second component 2, and the contour of the first component and the contour of the second component are substantially similar. . FIG. 3 has a four-leaf shaped cross-sectional shape having four convex portions. In the conjugate fiber 100 of FIG. 3, the first component 1 is located only at the tip of the convex portion. That is, in the conjugate fiber of FIG. 3, the second component 2 has a deformed cross section, almost determines the cross sectional shape of the fiber, the first component 1 covers a part of the convex portion of the second component 2, and the second component 2 The two components are composite fibers having four convex portions, and the concave portions between the convex portions forming an acute angle. The composite fiber 100 in FIG. 4 has a four-leaf-shaped cross section (cross section) having four convex portions. In the conjugate fiber 100 of FIG. 4, the cross section of the second component 2 is substantially circular, and the first component 1 that covers the outer periphery of the second component 2 forms four convex portions. 1-4, although the recessed part between a convex part is described by the acute angle, it is as above-mentioned that the obtuse angle of 90 degrees or more may be sufficient in this invention.

  All of the illustrated cross-sectional shapes are examples, and the cross-sectional shape of the modified cross-section composite fiber may be other shapes. For example, in the modification of the conjugate fiber shown in FIG. 4, six or eight convex portions may be formed, and the number of convex portions may be three. Alternatively, the illustrated composite fiber may further include a third component. In that case, the third component having a circular fiber cross section may be arranged at the center of the second component, or the third component having a contour that is substantially similar to the contour of the second component is the second component. It may be arranged inside.

  Alternatively, the odd-shaped cross-section composite fiber may exist in a form in which the second component is divided into two or more as a whole in cross-sectional shape. For example, in the modified cross-section composite fiber shown in FIG. 1, when the first component forms an uninterrupted membrane that defines the contour of the fiber cross section, and the second component is disposed in the space surrounded by the membrane In addition, the convex part (leaf part) of the second component may exist in a separated form. In that case, a space | gap will be formed between the convex part which the 2nd component isolate | separated, and another 2nd component. In such voids, the first component that is melted or softened during the thermal bonding process may easily enter. When the first component enters such a narrow gap, a wide interfiber gap formed between the modified cross-section composite fibers (this wide interfiber gap is considered to affect the filter life) is caused by the first component. Excessive clogging is suppressed and may have a positive effect on the filter life.

  Alternatively, as another example in which the second component is divided into two or more, the modified cross-section composite fiber has a convex portion (leaf portion) of the first component and the second component in a part of the length direction of the modified cross-section composite fiber. It may be in the form of an apparently fibrillated portion in which a fine portion having a part of the surface is separated. Such a form is preferably formed at an end portion in the length direction of the modified cross-section composite fiber. In that case, the fineness portions function as if they were ultrafine fibers, and the voids formed between the fineness portions at the ends are fine voids that are formed between the ultrafine fibers. A filter including such a modified cross-section composite fiber having a fine fineness portion has voids between the irregular cross-section composite fibers and fine voids between the fine fineness portions, so that it is difficult to clog and particles of various sizes. Since the filter can be captured, the filtration accuracy and the filter life are particularly excellent.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 5, when the irregular cross-section composite fiber is composed of the first component and the second component, when a straight line is drawn from the tip of the convex portion to the center of the fiber in the cross section in the lateral direction. , the length from the fiber center to the convex tip and L _1, when a straight line is drawn in the center of the fiber from the projection end of the second component, the length from the fiber center to the convex tip of the second component when the _{L 2,} L ₂ / L ₁ is preferably 0.25 or more. L ₁ corresponds to the apparent length of the convex portion, and L ₂ corresponds to the length of the convex portion of the second component (high melting point component). The larger L ₂ / L ₁ is, the longer the protrusion length of the second component is, and the second component exists up to the vicinity of the tip of the convex portion. Therefore, even if heat processing such as thermal bonding is performed, the convex portion is not greatly deformed, and the shape of the convex portion is not easily lost. Therefore, when such a fiber is used, even if heat processing is performed to thermally bond the fibers, the shape of the convex portion is easily maintained, that is, the state where the surface area of the deformed cross-section composite fiber is large is maintained. Air gaps between fibers are not easily blocked, and the filter life is excellent. As a result, the non-woven fabric after heat bonding, that is, the mechanical properties of the filter are further improved.

L ₂ / L ₁ is an index indicating the thickness of the first component, and the smaller the value, the larger the thickness of the first component. When the first component is melted or softened, it tends to move so that the structure of the surface tension is stable, that is, the outer periphery of the fiber becomes more circular. When the first component moves in such a manner during the thermal bonding process, the irregularities of the irregular cross-section composite fiber may be leveled, and as a result, the effect due to the presence of the concave portion may be impaired. When L ₂ / L ₁ is 0.25 or more, the softened or melted first component reduces the degree of unevenness, and the recesses are easily maintained.

L ₂ / L ₁ is more preferably 0.5 or more, particularly preferably 0.75 or more, and most preferably 0.8 or more. The upper limit of L ₂ / L ₁ is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.98 or less, considering the productivity at the time of melt spinning, the clarity of the fiber cross-sectional shape, and the thermal adhesiveness of the irregular cross-section composite fiber, preferably 0.95 or less Is more preferable.

In the cross section in the transverse direction of the irregular cross-section composite fiber, the intersection point between the straight line connecting the convex tip of the irregular cross-section composite fiber and the center of the fiber and the line segment connecting the bottoms of the adjacent concave portions is obtained, and the convex tip from the intersection L ₃ / L ₁ is preferably 0.25 or more when the length up to L ₃ is L ₃ . L ₃ corresponds to the true length of the convex portion of the modified cross-section composite fiber. It is considered that as L ₃ / L ₁ is larger, the surface area of the irregular cross-section composite fiber is increased, so that the particle trapping performance is improved and the electric charge can be stably retained. L ₃ / L ₁ is more preferably 0.4 or more, particularly preferably 0.45 or more, and most preferably 0.5 or more. The upper limit of L ₃ / L ₁ is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.95 or less, more preferably 0.9 or less, and particularly preferably 0.8 or less in consideration of the productivity during melt spinning and the clarity of the fiber cross-sectional shape. Preferably, 0.75 or less is the most preferable.

In the cross section in the transverse direction of the irregular cross-section composite fiber, the width of the convex portion of the second component (direction perpendicular to the protruding direction) is not constant, and from the tip of the convex portion of the second component to the root It is preferable to have a shape in which the dimension in the width direction is maximized. In other words, it is preferable that the convex portion of the second component has a shape (for example, a shape like a bud or a shape like a mushroom) such that the dimension in the width direction becomes small at the tip and both ends of the root. When the convex portion of the second component has such a shape, the cross-sectional shape of the fiber (after finally becoming a non-woven fabric) is more than that of the shape in which the width of the convex portion becomes narrower as it approaches the tip of the convex portion. Also, it is easy to keep clearer. Therefore, even after heat processing, the concave portion between the convex portion and the convex portion is difficult to disappear, and good filtration accuracy is ensured. In addition, the modified cross-section composite fiber having a convex portion having such a shape as the cross-sectional shape of the second component is the above-mentioned when an external force is applied to the deformed cross-section composite fiber by a non-woven fabric process, a heat treatment process, a winding process, and the like. It is easy to take a form in which the second component is divided into two or more, and the performance of the filter is improved. In the cross section in the lateral direction of the modified cross-section composite fiber having a convex portion having such a shape as the second component cross-sectional shape, from the portion where the width of the convex portion of the second component is maximized to the center of the modified cross-section composite fiber when the distance was set to _{L 4, L 4} / _{L 1} is preferably at least 0.2, more preferably 0.25 or more, particularly preferably 0.3 or more, and most preferably 0.4 That's it. The upper limit of L ₄ / L ₁ is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.8 or less in consideration of the productivity during melt spinning, the clarity of the fiber cross-sectional shape, and the collection efficiency of the resulting heat-bonded nonwoven fabric. 75 or less is more preferable, 0.7 or less is particularly preferable, and 0.6 or less is most preferable.

FIG. 5A shows a schematic diagram for explaining how to obtain L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ and L ₄ , and FIG. 5B shows a schematic diagram for explaining how to obtain the center of the fiber. Fig.5 (a) is the irregular cross-section composite fiber shown in FIG. In the cross-section of the irregular cross-section composite fiber, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the size and shape of the convex portion of the fiber are substantially the same and the cross-sectional shape is symmetrical in the vertical and horizontal directions, each convex portion , When a straight line connecting the midpoint of the line segment connecting the base of the convex portion and the tip of the convex portion is drawn, the straight line intersects at one point, so that the intersection is the center of the fiber. In other cases, as shown in FIG. 5B, in each convex part, when a straight line connecting the midpoint of the line connecting the roots of the convex part and the tip of the convex part is drawn, Of the triangles formed by the straight lines, the center of a circle inscribed in the triangle having the largest area is defined as a fiber center C.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the modified cross-section composite fiber may be composed of a first component made of a thermoplastic resin having a low melting point and a second component made of a thermoplastic resin having a high melting point. It is also preferable from the viewpoint of melt spinning. Therefore, in the following description, the modified cross-section composite fiber composed of the first component and the second component will be mainly described. However, the modified cross-section composite fiber constituting the filter of the present invention is not limited to those composed of two components, and may be composed of three or more components. When the modified cross-section composite fiber is composed of three or more components, in the following description, the first component is a component composed of a thermoplastic resin having the lowest melting point, and is melted or softened by heat treatment and thermally bonded. The component which joins fibers as a component is pointed out, and what is with a 2nd component shall point out components other than a heat bonding component collectively.

  The composite ratio (second component / first component) of the modified cross-section composite fiber is preferably 30/70 to 70/30, more preferably 35/65 to 65/35 in volume ratio. When the first component is 30% by volume or more, a non-woven fabric having high adhesive strength between fibers can be obtained, and when the first component is 70% by volume or less, the bonding intersection between the fibers is small, and particles are formed at the intersection. It is possible to obtain a nonwoven fabric in which voids capable of trapping are easily formed.

  In addition, when the composite ratio (second component / first component) is 30/70 to 50/50 (that is, the volume of the first component is equal to or greater than the volume of the second component), a non-woven fabric having high adhesive strength between fibers. A filter excellent in molding processability such as pleating can be obtained. However, when the volume ratio of the first component exceeds 70%, the melted or softened first component tends to move so that the structure of the surface tension is stable, that is, the outer periphery of the fiber becomes more circular. When the first component moves in such a manner during the thermal bonding process, the irregularities of the irregular cross-section composite fiber may be leveled, and as a result, the effect due to the presence of the concave portion may be impaired.

  In addition, when the composite ratio (second component / first component) is 50/50 to 70/30 (that is, the volume of the first component is equal to or less than the volume of the second component), a nonwoven fabric having a small bonding intersection between fibers is used. Can be obtained. When such a non-woven fabric is used, it is possible to obtain a filter in which pockets are easily formed at the fiber intersection portion and particles are easily captured at the fiber intersection portion. However, if the volume ratio of the second component exceeds 70%, the constituent fibers of the filter may not be sufficiently thermally bonded. As a result, inconveniences such as deterioration of the mechanical characteristics of the filter or loss of fibers may occur.

  The modified cross-section composite fiber includes a first component made of a thermoplastic resin and a second component made of a thermoplastic resin having a melting point after spinning higher than the melting point of the first component after spinning. The first component can also be referred to as a low melting point component and functions as a thermal bonding component. The second component can also be referred to as a high-melting-point component, and retains the fiber form in the nonwoven fabric after the thermal bonding treatment to ensure the mechanical properties of the nonwoven fabric. The melting point of the second component after spinning is preferably 10 ° C. or higher, more preferably 20 ° C. or higher, more preferably 25 ° C. or higher than the melting point of the first component after spinning. The melting points of the first component and the second component can be determined from the heat of fusion curve obtained by DSC. Two or more peaks may appear in the heat of fusion curve. In that case, the temperature showing the maximum peak is taken as the melting peak temperature, that is, the melting point. In general, the melting point relationship of the thermoplastic resin before spinning is almost the same as the melting point relationship of the thermoplastic resin after spinning. That is, when the melting point of the second component before spinning is higher than that of the first component, the melting point of the second component after spinning is generally higher than that of the first component. Therefore, the thermoplastic resin constituting the first component and the second component may be selected in consideration of the melting point before spinning.

  As described above, the thermoplastic resin used for the modified cross-section composite fiber is not particularly limited as long as the melting point after spinning of the second component is higher than the melting point after spinning of the first component. Any combination of thermoplastic resins can be used. Examples of the thermoplastic resin that can be used in the present invention include polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polylactic acid, and polybutylene succinate; low density polyethylene, medium density Polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and other polyethylene resins that are polymerized using ordinary Ziegler-Natta catalysts and metallocene catalysts, and ordinary Ziegler-Natta catalysts and metallocene catalysts. Various polypropylene resins such as isotactic, atactic, and syndiotactic that are polymerized by using, various polymethylpentene resins, various polybutene-1 resins, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resins, Len - various polyolefin resins such as propylene copolymer resin; nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 11, a polyamide resin such as nylon 12; polycarbonates, polyacetals, polystyrene, engineering plastics, such as cyclic polyolefin and the like. The modified cross-section composite fiber includes a first component containing one or more resins selected from these resins and a second component containing one or more resins selected from these resins.

  The nonwoven fabric is charged by a charging process such as a corona discharge process or a plasma discharge process, which will be described later (given positive and negative polarities). In that case, the first component and the second component of the irregular cross-section composite fiber are used. Both components are preferably composed of a resin selected from the same type of material. By selecting both the first component and the second component from the same type of material, peeling of the first component from the second component can be prevented. In addition, this description does not exclude that the first component and the second component of the modified cross-section composite fiber are composed of different types of materials in the present invention. In the present invention, it is particularly preferable that the first component and the second component of the modified cross-section composite fiber are each made of a resin selected from polyolefin resins.

  Examples of the polyolefin resin include homopolymers and copolymers of various α-olefins and terpolymers (also referred to as terpolymers). Specific examples of polyolefin resins include poly (4-methylpentene-1) and polymethylpentene resins such as copolymers of 4-methylpentene-1 and other olefins, polypropylene resins (Ziegler Including polypropylene polymerized with Natta catalyst and polypropylene polymerized with metallocene catalyst), polyethylene resin (high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene ( LLDPE), including polyethylene polymerized with Ziegler-Natta catalyst, polyethylene polymerized with metallocene catalyst), polybutene-1, ethylene-propylene copolymer resin, ethylene-propylene-butene copolymer resin, ethylene-vinyl alcohol Copolymer resin It is.

  As described above, both the first component and the second component are preferably configured using a polyolefin-based resin (including known polyolefin-based resins in addition to those described above). When a polyolefin-based resin is used as the first component, it is preferable to use a polyethylene-based resin because it has a low melting point and is easily thermally bonded. Moreover, when using polyolefin-type resin as a 2nd component, since it is easy to fiberize and is excellent in tensile strength etc., it is preferable to use a polypropylene-type resin. In consideration of mechanical properties such as productivity and single fiber strength of the modified cross-section composite fiber and charging property, the second component / first component is polypropylene as a combination of the polyolefin-based resins constituting the modified cross-section composite fiber. Resin / polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin / ethylene-propylene copolymer resin, polypropylene resin / ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, polymethylpentene resin / polyethylene resin, polymethylpentene resin / polypropylene resin, Polymethylpentene resin / ethylene-propylene copolymer resin, polymethylpentene resin / ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, ethylene-propylene copolymer resin / polyethylene resin, ethylene-propylene copolymer resin / ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer Polymerized resin, represented by Combinations that are polyolefin resins are preferred, and combinations of polypropylene resins / polyethylene resins, polypropylene resins / ethylene-propylene copolymer resins, polymethylpentene resins / polyethylene resins, and polymethylpentene resins / polypropylene resins. Particularly preferred is polypropylene resin / polyethylene resin. By making the second component / first component polypropylene-based resin / polyethylene-based resin, it is possible to obtain a filter that is low in cost and excellent in economic efficiency and excellent in moldability such as pleating.

  In addition, the conventionally known electrostatic filter has a fiber surface made of polypropylene resin. This is because the polypropylene resin is easily charged by the charging process and does not easily release the charge. However, the polypropylene resin has a high melting point and is difficult to use as an adhesive component. Polyethylene resin has a low melting point and can be suitably used as an adhesive component. However, since it does not have a branched structure in its molecule, it is difficult to be charged by a charging process and easily releases an electric charge. It was unsuitable as a constituent resin. Under such circumstances, an electrostatic filter using a nonwoven fabric in which intersections of fibers are bonded has not been obtained so far.

  Therefore, in the present invention, by using a composite fiber having an irregular cross section, electric charges can be retained more stably, so that the collection efficiency over time due to natural discharge is increased regardless of the type of resin constituting the fiber surface. A decrease can be prevented. That is, by adopting the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an electrostatic filter using a polyolefin resin (for example, polyethylene resin) having no branched structure on the fiber surface. In addition, the branched structure as used in the field of this invention means the functional group branched from the principal chain which consists of carbon which had formed the double bond before superposition | polymerization. For example, in the case of poly α-olefin, the branched structure refers to a functional group branched from the β-position carbon and connected to the γ-position carbon, for example, more specifically, the branched structure of polypropylene is a methyl group.

  Examples of polypropylene resins include propylene homopolymers, copolymers of propylene and one or two α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and mixtures of propylene homopolymers with other thermoplastic resins. Can be mentioned. In the case of a copolymer and a mixture, a resin component containing 85 mol% or more of propylene is referred to as a polypropylene resin. The physical properties of the polypropylene resin are not particularly limited. If the polypropylene resin can be melt-spun, its Q value (weight average molecular weight Mw / number average molecular weight Mn), melting point, and melt flow rate are not particularly limited.

  Examples of polyethylene resins include ethylene homopolymers, copolymers of ethylene and one or two α-olefins having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and mixtures of ethylene homopolymers with other thermoplastic resins. Can be mentioned. In the case of a copolymer and a mixture, a resin component containing 85 mol% or more of ethylene is referred to as a polyethylene resin. The physical properties of the polyethylene resin are not particularly limited. If the polyethylene resin can be melt-spun, its Q value (weight average molecular weight Mw / number average molecular weight Mn), melting point, and melt flow rate are not particularly limited.

  The fineness of the modified cross-section composite fiber is not particularly limited, but the fineness is preferably 0.1 dtex or more and 100 dtex or less. This is because when the fineness of the modified cross-section composite fiber satisfies the above range, a filter having a good balance between air permeability and collection efficiency can be obtained. On the other hand, if the fineness is less than 0.1 dtex, the diameter of the fiber viewed from the fiber cross section is smaller than that of the particles, and the captured particles may be easily released. If the fineness is greater than 100 dtex, the inter-fiber voids become large and small particles may not be captured. The fineness of the modified cross-section composite fiber is more preferably 0.3 dtex or more and 70 tex or less, particularly preferably 0.5 dtex or more and 30 dtex or less, and most preferably 1 dtex or more and 8 dtex or less.

  The fiber length of the modified cross-section composite fiber is not particularly limited, but may be 3 mm or more and 200 mm or less. For example, when manufacturing a nonwoven fabric by the method of producing a fiber web using a card machine, it is preferable that fiber length is 10 mm or more and 150 mm or less. If the fiber length is 10 mm or more, the fiber is unlikely to fall off. When the fiber length is 150 mm or less, it is easy to form a fiber web by a card machine. The fiber length of the modified cross-section composite fiber is more preferably 15 mm or more and 120 mm or less, and particularly preferably 20 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

  The modified cross-section composite fiber can be produced by the following method. First, a plurality of different thermoplastic resins, preferably two-component polyolefin resins, are prepared, and melt-spun with a known melt spinning machine using a predetermined composite nozzle that gives an irregular cross-section. At this time, it is preferable to adjust the melt viscosity of each resin by adjusting the shearing force of the extruder, the spinning temperature, etc. in consideration of the fiber cross-sectional shape of the irregular cross-section composite fiber. A spun filament (undrawn yarn) is obtained from the molten thermoplastic resin. The fineness of the spinning filament may be 1 dtex or more and 100 dtex or less, and preferably 2 dtex or more and 10 dtex or less.

  The spun filament is then drawn as needed. The spinning filament is a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of the first component and the glass transition temperature of the second component and lower than the melting point of the first component (polypropylene resin / polyethylene resin (second component / first component)). In the case of a composite fiber comprising, for example, it is stretched at a stretching temperature of 80 ° C. or more and 125 ° C. or less) under a stretching ratio of 1.5 to 8 times. The stretching method is not particularly limited. Wet stretching that stretches while heating with a high-temperature liquid such as high-temperature hot water, dry stretching that stretches while heating in a high-temperature gas or a high-temperature metal roll, steam at 100 ° C. or higher at normal pressure or It is also possible to perform a known stretching process such as steam stretching in which a fiber is stretched while being heated under pressure. A fiber treatment agent (sometimes referred to as “oil agent”) is applied to the obtained drawn filament as necessary, and crimping treatment is performed if necessary. Thereafter, it is cut into a predetermined fiber length and used as a modified cross-section composite fiber.

[Other fibers]
As long as the non-woven fabric constituting the filter includes the predetermined modified cross-section composite fiber (preferably, at least part of the fibers are thermally bonded by the first component of the modified cross-section composite fiber), other fibers are included. (Hereinafter, fibers other than the predetermined irregular cross-section composite fiber may also be referred to as mixed fibers for convenience). The type of the mixed fiber is not particularly limited, and ramie (linseed), linen (flax), kenaf (marine hemp), abaca (Manila hemp), Heneken (sisal hemp), jute (burlap), hemp (cannabis), palm Natural fibers such as palm, mulberry, mitsumata and bagasse, and semi-synthetic fibers (also referred to as regenerated fibers) such as viscose rayon, tencel (registered trademark), lyocell (registered trademark) and cupra may be used. The mixed fiber is preferably a fiber made of a synthetic resin.

  Examples of fibers made of synthetic resin that can be used for mixed fibers include, for example, single fibers made of known polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polylactic acid, and polybutylene succinate, Polymerized using single fibers made of known polyethylene resins such as density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, etc., ordinary Ziegler-Natta catalyst or metallocene catalyst Single fibers made of known polypropylene resins such as isotactic, atactic, syndiotactic, etc., copolymer resins of these polyolefin monomers, or metabolites when these polyolefins are polymerized. A single fiber made of a known polyolefin resin such as polyolefin using a sen catalyst (also referred to as Kaminsky catalyst), a single fiber made of a known polyamide such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 11 and nylon 12, and acrylonitrile (Poly) acrylic single fiber, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polystyrene, single fiber of engineering plastic such as cyclic polyolefin, polyester, polyolefin, polyamide, single fiber of engineering plastic, or different types of resins, or The composite fiber etc. which compounded resin (for example, polyethylene terephthalate and polytrimethylene terephthalate) which consist of different polymer components of the same kind are mentioned.

  When the mixed fiber is a composite fiber made of a synthetic resin, the composite state is not particularly limited. For example, the composite fiber is a core-sheath type composite fiber, an eccentric core-sheath type composite fiber, a parallel type composite fiber, a split type composite fiber or a sea-island type composite fiber in which citrus tufted resin components are alternately arranged. Also good. Moreover, the cross section of the synthetic fiber may not be a round cross section, and may have an irregular cross section different from the predetermined irregular cross section composite fiber.

  When the mixed fiber is a composite fiber composed of a cross-sectional shape, a material (for example, type and number of synthetic resins), or a plurality of resin components, a combination of synthetic resins and a composite form of constituent resins are not particularly limited. Is as described above. Moreover, the fineness of the mixed fiber, the fiber length, the cross-sectional shape, and the composite ratio when the mixed fiber is a composite fiber are not particularly limited. However, when the mixed fiber is significantly different from the preferable fineness range and the preferable fiber length range of the modified cross-section composite fiber, not only the productivity may be lowered when the web is produced by the card machine, but also the present invention. The effect of may be impaired. Therefore, the fineness of the mixed fiber is also preferably 0.1 dtex or more and 100 dtex or less, and more preferably 0.3 dtex or more and 70 dtex or less. Further, the fiber length of the mixed fiber may be 3 mm or more and 200 mm or less, and when the web is produced by a card machine to manufacture the nonwoven fabric, the fiber length of the mixed fiber is preferably 10 mm or more and 150 mm or less. More preferably, it is 15 mm or more and 120 mm or less, and particularly preferably 20 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

  The nonwoven fabric of the electrostatic filter may be composed only of the modified cross-section composite fiber, or may be composed of the modified cross-section composite fiber and the mixed fiber. Below, a nonwoven fabric is demonstrated.

[Nonwoven fabric]
The nonwoven fabric included in the electrostatic filter of the present invention may be a nonwoven fabric in which at least a part between constituent fibers is thermally bonded by the first component of the modified cross-section composite fiber composed of the first component and the second component. preferable. The nonwoven fabric preferably contains 30% by mass or more of the modified cross-section composite fiber. The electrostatic filter containing the irregular cross-section composite fiber in this proportion is easy to realize high collection efficiency and long life. The non-woven fabric contains the deformed cross-section conjugate fiber more preferably 50% by mass or more, particularly preferably 70% by mass or more, and most preferably only the deformed cross-section conjugate fiber.

  The type of the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, and may be a spunbond nonwoven fabric made of long fibers or a melt blown nonwoven fabric obtained by a melt blow method. Alternatively, the nonwoven fabric is a web made from short fibers by a wet paper making method, a parallel web, a semi-random web, a random web, a cross web or a cross web using a card machine, or an air lay method, It may be obtained by integrating the web by thermal bonding treatment (thermal processing). In the heat bonding treatment, the first component of the modified cross-section composite fiber and the first component (low melting point component) of other composite fiber (mixed fiber) optionally contained are melted or softened by heat, and the fibers are first components. It is preferable to carry out heat bonding.

  The heat bonding treatment may be performed using, for example, a hot air treatment machine (including an air-through heat treatment machine), an infrared heat treatment machine, or a hot roll processing machine. Especially, it is preferable to perform a heat bonding process by passing a hot air in the thickness direction of a nonwoven fabric. For example, hot air can be passed in the thickness direction of a nonwoven fabric by spraying hot air on one surface side of the nonwoven fabric and sucking hot air from the other surface side of the nonwoven fabric. When this process is adopted, a nonwoven fabric in which fibers are uniformly bonded in the thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric can be obtained. The thermal bonding treatment is performed so that the gap between the fibers is not excessively blocked by melting or softening of the first component, for example, hot air using a hot air penetration type heat treatment machine or a hot air blowing type heat treatment machine. It is preferable to carry out by spraying. Therefore, it is preferable to perform the heat bonding treatment at a temperature higher by about 0 ° C. to 50 ° C. than the melting point of the first component after spinning. Moreover, it is preferable to implement the heat bonding treatment so that the area of the heat bonding point is not widened.

  The web integration may be performed by one or more methods selected from needle punch and / or high pressure water treatment. These processes may be performed in addition to the thermal bonding process, for example, the web may be subjected to a needle punch and / or high pressure water flow process prior to the thermal bonding process.

The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, but when used as a normal air filter (for example, an air filter such as an air purifier, an air conditioner or a ventilation fan), it is usually 10 g / m ^{2 to} 300 g / m ² , preferably 30 g. / ^{m 2} ~200g / ^m 2, more preferably from ^{50g / m 2 ~150g / m 2} . When the basis weight is 10 g / m ² or more, a nonwoven fabric having a uniform basis weight can be obtained, and the collection unevenness is reduced. When it is 300 g / m ² or less, it can be uniformly charged in the thickness direction by charging treatment.

Further, when used as a mask (dust mask, pollen prevention mask, medical mask, etc.), the basis weight is usually 5 g / m ^{2 to} 100 g / m ² , preferably 10 g / m ^{2 to} 80 g / m ² , more preferably. it is a ^{15g / m 2 ~70g / m 2} . If the basis weight is 5 g / m ² or more, a nonwoven fabric with a uniform basis weight can be obtained, and dust and pollen can be easily captured. When it is 100 g / m ² or less, the air permeability becomes high, and when it is worn as a mask, it tends to be difficult to breathe.

  The nonwoven fabric containing the predetermined irregular cross-section conjugate fiber may be used in a state where two or more are laminated. The laminated nonwoven fabric may be integrated partially or entirely, or may not be integrated. The integration may be performed by thermal bonding of the first component, or may be performed by stitching, entanglement between fibers, or an adhesive. In addition, the nonwoven fabric may be subjected to pleat folding called pleating, in which case the laminate may be folded after two or more nonwoven fabrics are laminated, or the fold-folded ones may be laminated. May be.

[Electrostatic filter]
The electrostatic filter of the present invention passes the nonwoven fabric containing the above-mentioned irregular cross-section composite fiber through a DC high-voltage electric field and cools it in the electric field, or performs charging treatment such as corona discharge treatment or plasma discharge treatment on the surface of the nonwoven fabric. The fiber surface is polarized and charged. That is, the fibers subjected to the charging process in this way are in a state where one surface is charged with a positive charge and the other surface is charged with a negative charge. More specifically, the electrostatic filter of the present invention polarizes the electric polarity of the fiber surface by modifying the surface of the fiber contained in the nonwoven fabric, particularly the surface of the first component of the irregular cross-section composite fiber by corona discharge or plasma discharge. By doing so, the whole nonwoven fabric is charged. In the present invention, the conditions for the charging process are not particularly limited, and the conditions may be appropriately determined by a method known to those skilled in the art.

  By charging the non-woven fabric in this way, the electric charge is generated at the intersection of the fibers, in particular at the thermal bonding intersection that can be formed by melting or softening at least a part of the first component of the modified cross-section composite fiber or the surface of the modified cross-section composite fiber. Charges are concentrated and trapped in the recesses, particularly acute-angle recesses, and the charges stay stably. Therefore, in the electrostatic filter of the present invention, it is speculated that spontaneous discharge, that is, the electrostatic collection ability can be prevented from decreasing with the passage of time, and the chargeability of the nonwoven fabric can be maintained over a long period of time. . Further, in the electrostatic filter of the present invention, the charge held in the thermal bonding intersection or in the recess is not easily lost even when the filter comes into contact with other objects, and the chargeability of the nonwoven fabric is maintained over a long period of time. Can do.

  The electrostatic filter of the present invention can mainly capture particles having a size of, for example, 0.01 μm to 1000 μm, preferably 0.1 μm to 100 μm, more preferably 0.3 μm to 5 μm. In the present invention, fine particles having a size of 0.5 μm or less can be captured by electrostatic collection ability, and particles larger than 0.5 μm and smaller than 10 μm can be physically captured at the fiber intersection portion. Further, it is considered that particles having a size of 10 μm or more can be physically captured by voids between fibers. In addition, the collection efficiency does not decrease significantly over a longer period, for example, over 2 weeks, and the collection efficiency is sustained.

The electrostatic filter of the present invention may be anything as long as it does not substantially impede the passage of gas, and has an air permeability of, for example, 50 cc / cm ² / second or more, preferably 80 cc / cm ² / second or more.

  Surprisingly, in the present invention, the chargeability and collection efficiency of the nonwoven fabric can also be enhanced by attaching a fiber treatment agent to the irregular cross-section composite fiber. In the present invention, the fiber treatment agent means a fiber treatment agent for synthetic fibers (that is, a normal oil agent), and it is possible to use an amphiphilic material including a lipophilic part and a hydrophilic part (polar part). it can. Although the reason why the non-woven fabric is improved in chargeability and collection efficiency by adhering the fiber treatment agent to the irregular cross-section composite fiber is not clear, the hydrophilic part of the fiber treatment agent sinks into the fiber or changes in composition during heat treatment. Thus, it is considered that only the lipophilic part is manifested on the fiber surface, and hence it becomes easy to be electrically polarized by the subsequent charging treatment.

  Therefore, the fiber treatment with the fiber treating agent is not particularly limited as long as it is before the heat is applied to the first component of the modified cross-section composite fiber to melt or soften the first component to form the heat-bonded nonwoven fabric. The fiber treatment agent may be applied to the modified cross-section composite fiber in at least one stage, such as after spinning of the modified cross-section composite fiber, before stretching the deformed cross-section composite fiber, and after stretching the deformed cross-section composite fiber. Examples of the processing method of the modified cross-section composite fiber with the fiber treatment agent include immersion of the fiber in a solution containing the fiber treatment agent, spray application of the solution containing the fiber treatment agent to the fiber, and brush coating. The fiber treatment agent is not particularly limited as long as it can be attached to the fiber. Therefore, the web before the thermal bonding treatment may be immersed in a solution containing the fiber treatment agent, or the fiber treatment agent is applied to the web before the thermal bonding treatment by spray coating or brushing the web. May be impregnated.

  There is no particular limitation on the amount of the fiber treatment agent to be applied to the modified cross-section composite fiber. For example, it may be 0.01% by mass to 15% by mass, preferably 0.05% by mass to 10% by mass, and more preferably 0%. .1% by mass to 3% by mass.

  The fiber treatment agent that can be used in the present invention is not particularly limited, but it is particularly preferable to use a polyethylene glycol fiber treatment agent. As the polyethylene glycol fiber treatment agent, those containing as a main component an ester of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 400 to 800 and a fatty acid having 8 to 20 carbon atoms are preferable. Examples thereof include polyethylene glycol oleic acid monoester and polyethylene glycol lauric acid monoester.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention concretely, this invention is not limited to a following example.

(Preparation of irregular cross-section composite fiber 1)
A four-leaf type in which the second component is made of polypropylene (melting point 165 ° C.), the first component is made of high-density polyethylene (melting point 125 ° C.), and the second component and the first component are arranged so as to have the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. A core-sheath type composite fiber having a modified cross section (fineness: 2.2 dtex, fiber length: 51 mm) (hereinafter, “modified cross section composite fiber 1”) was prepared. The modified cross-section composite fiber 1 had a composite ratio (volume ratio) of 50/50 (second / first) during melt spinning and a draw ratio of 4.5 times. In addition, a phosphate ester fiber treatment agent was applied to the fiber.
In the modified cross-section composite fiber 1, L ₁ is 12 μm, L ₂ is 10 μm, L ₃ is 8.6 μm, L ₄ is 5.3 μm, L ₂ / L ₁ is 0.83, and L ₃ / L ₁ is 0.72. , L ₄ / L ₁ was 0.44.

(Preparation of irregular cross-section composite fiber 2)
A four-leaf type in which the second component is made of polypropylene (melting point 165 ° C.), the first component is made of high-density polyethylene (melting point 125 ° C.), and the second component and the first component are arranged so as to have the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. A core-sheath type composite fiber having a modified cross section was prepared (fineness 2.2 dtex, fiber length 51 mm). The composite ratio (volume ratio) of this fiber during melt spinning was 50/50 (second / first) (drawing ratio: 4.5 times). Further, a polyethylene glycol fiber treatment agent comprising a monoester of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 600 and oleic acid was applied to this fiber (hereinafter referred to as “an irregular cross-section composite fiber 2”).
In the modified cross-section composite fiber 2, L ₁ is 12 μm, L ₂ is 10 μm, L ₃ is 8.6 μm, L ₄ is 5.3 μm, L ₂ / L ₁ is 0.83, and L ₃ / L ₁ is 0.72. , L ₄ / L ₁ was 0.44.

(Preparation of comparative cross-section composite fiber)
A core-sheath type in which the second component is made of polypropylene (melting point 165 ° C.), the first component is high-density polyethylene (melting point 125 ° C.), and the second component and the first component are concentrically arranged in a circular cross section. A composite fiber was prepared (fineness 2.2 dtex, fiber length 51 mm) (hereinafter “circular cross-section composite fiber”). The composite ratio (volume ratio) of this circular cross-section composite fiber during melt spinning was 50/50 (second / first), and the draw ratio was 4.5 times.

(Manufacture of electrostatic filters)
Example 1
A modified cross-section composite fiber 1 is opened with a parallel card machine to produce a web, and the web is heat-treated with a hot air penetration type heat treatment machine (140 ° C.), and the fibers are thermally bonded with the first component to form a heat-bonded nonwoven fabric. (Nonwoven fabric 1) was produced.
Next, while conveying this heat-bonded nonwoven fabric with a stainless steel mesh conveyor, a 7-20 Kv DC high electric field is generated by an applied electrode in which needles are embedded at regular intervals in an atmosphere of 100 ° C. Polarized and charged.

(Example 2)
A heat-bonded nonwoven fabric (“nonwoven fabric 2”) was produced using the modified cross-section composite fiber 2 in accordance with the same procedure as that employed in Example 1, and was similarly charged to obtain an electrostatic filter.

(Comparative Example 1)
A heat-bonding nonwoven fabric (“nonwoven fabric 3”) was produced using the above-mentioned circular cross-section composite fiber in accordance with the same procedure as that employed in Example 1, and was similarly charged to obtain an electrostatic filter.

[Collection efficiency]
1 day, 8 days, 18 days, 20 days after applying the above-described charging treatment to each sample (120 mm × 120 mm × 1.3 mm thickness) of the electrostatic filter prepared in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 At the time when 30 days passed, according to JIS B 9908, the filtration surface was set to 100 mmφ, and air dust was passed through the electrostatic surface at a measurement speed of 23.8 liters / minute and filtered. Particles of 0.3 μm, 0.5 μm, 1.0 μm and 2.0 μm were fractionated before and after filtration, the number of particles was measured, and the collection efficiency (%) was calculated by the following formula.
Collection efficiency (%) = (1-C2 / C1) × 100
In the above formula, C1 is the number of particles before filtration, and C2 is the number of particles after filtration.
The collection efficiency (%) obtained with each filter is shown in the following Table 1 and the graph of FIG. Note that the bar graphs denoted by reference numerals “1d”, “8d”, “18d”, “20d”, and “30d” in FIG. 7 are “1 day”, “8 days”, “18 days”, and “20 days”, respectively. , Shows the collection efficiency (%) of the electrostatic filter after "30 days". Regarding the collection of particles by electrostatic filters, the collection of particles with a light weight of 0.5 μm or less is mainly due to electrostatic attraction (electric attraction between the filter and particles). It can be understood that the collection of particles larger than 0.5 μm is mainly due to physical adsorption.

  In addition, the collection efficiency (%) was also measured for each of the nonwoven fabrics 1 to 3 (that is, the electrostatic filters of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 that were not subjected to charging treatment). The results are shown in Table 2 below and the graph in FIG. In the graph of FIG. 7, the symbols “f1”, “f2”, and “f3” indicate “nonwoven fabric 1”, “nonwoven fabric 2”, and “nonwoven fabric 3”, respectively.

  The value of the aeration pressure loss in the table is a measurement of the pressure difference (pressure loss (Pa)) between the inlet side and the outlet side of the filter when measuring the collection efficiency. The smaller the value of the air pressure loss, the better the air permeability. In addition, the basis weight values in the table are actually weighed values after the production of the nonwoven fabric.

  As shown in the graphs of Table 1 and FIG. 7, when an electrostatic filter is produced using the circular cross-section composite fiber of Comparative Example 1 and the collection efficiency is measured, collection of particles having a size of 0.5 μm or less is performed. Efficiency drops to 10% or less as days pass. This is apparent from the value of the graph (30d) after 30 days of “Comparative Example 1” in the graph of FIG. 7 (0.3 μm and 0.5 μm). In particular, in the electrostatic filter of Comparative Example 1, the collection efficiency of particles having a size of 0.5 μm was 26.4% after 1 day (1d), but 7 days after 30 days (30d). Remarkably reduced to 8%.

  On the other hand, in the electrostatic filter of Example 1 of the present invention, the collection efficiency of particles having a size of 0.5 μm or less is substantially reduced even after 30 days by using the modified cross-section composite fiber. Therefore, a high collection efficiency of around 20% can be maintained. This is clear from the value of the graph (30d) after 30 days of “Example 1” in the graph of FIG. 7 (0.3 μm and 0.5 μm). In particular, in the electrostatic filter of Example 1 of the present invention, the collection efficiency of particles having a size of 0.5 μm can be maintained at 20% or more even after 30 days.

  Thus, in the present invention, the electrostatic filter is produced using the modified cross-section composite fiber, thereby significantly preventing the collection efficiency of light and fine particles having a particle size of 0.5 μm or less. can do.

  In addition, in the electrostatic filter of Example 1 of this invention, as shown to the graph of Table 1, 2, and FIG. 7, compared with the nonwoven fabric (f1) which has not performed electrostatic treatment, the particle | grains of a 0.5 micrometer magnitude | size are shown. The ability to collect the water by electrostatic attraction is more than doubled.

  This is because, as shown in the electron micrograph of FIG. 8, in Example 1 of the present invention, the intersection or irregular cross section formed by thermal bonding of the first component on the outside of the irregular cross-section composite fiber having a four-leaf cross section. It is considered that the spontaneous discharge of the charge is suppressed because the charge concentrates and stays stably in the concave portion on the surface of the composite fiber or the portion where the fiber is separated or branched. In addition, the electrostatic filter of the present invention is synergistically capable of physically adsorbing fine particles even in such a fine concave portion on the fiber surface or in a portion where the fiber is separated or branched. It is thought that the adsorption effect was improved. In addition, in the circular cross-section composite fiber of Comparative Example 1, as shown in the electron micrograph of FIG. 9, the fiber surface is very smooth and there are almost no concave portions where the charges can stay or the portions where the fibers are separated. It is difficult to stay on the surface, and it is considered that charges are released by spontaneous discharge and the collection efficiency is remarkably lowered.

  More surprisingly, as demonstrated in “Example 2” of the graph of Table 1 and FIG. 7, in the present invention, when a polyethylene glycol fiber treatment agent is applied to the irregular-shaped composite fiber, the size is 0.5 μm or less. The particle collection efficiency can be increased to about twice, and a high collection efficiency of about 40% can be maintained even after 20 days. This is because the hydrophilic part of the polyethylene glycol fiber treatment agent entered the inside of the fiber during the thermal bonding of the fiber, and only the lipophilic part became apparent on the fiber surface, which facilitated electric polarization by subsequent charging treatment. It is believed that there is.

  In the present invention, particles having a size of 1.0 μm or more can also be collected with high collection efficiency. This is apparent from the comparison between “Comparative Example 1” and “Examples 1 and 2” in Table 1 and the graph (1.0 μm and 2.0 μm) in FIG. Such a high collection efficiency is considered to be influenced not only by the physical capture power of the filter but also by the electrostatic force of the filter. In the electrostatic filter of Example 2, the ability to collect particles having a size of 1.0 μm or more is improved by about 3 to 4 times as compared with the non-woven fabric (f2) not subjected to the charging treatment.

  As described above, in the present invention, by using the modified cross-section composite fiber for the nonwoven fabric, the electric charge concentrates at the intersection formed by the first component having a low melting point thermally bonded to each other and the concave portion of the fiber surface. It stays and spontaneous discharge can be prevented. As a result, the collection efficiency of fine particles having a size of 0.5 μm or less by electrostatic force is improved, and the effect is maintained for a long time.

  Surprisingly, in the present invention, when a polyethylene glycol fiber treatment agent is attached to the surface of the fiber, the charging ability of the nonwoven fabric is remarkably increased by the heating and charging treatment during the formation of the nonwoven fabric. The efficiency can be improved more than twice. Even in this case, the collection efficiency remains high for a long period of time.

  The electrostatic filter of the present invention is used in a field where capturing of fine particles in gas (particularly fine particles of 0.5 μm or less, such as dust, smoke, pollen, virus, etc.) is required, particularly an air cleaner. Use in air filters for air conditioners, ventilation fans, toner removal filters for copiers and printers, exhaust filters for vacuum cleaners, pollen filters, masks (dust masks, pollen masks, medical masks, etc.) Suitable for

1 First component 2 Second component 100 Modified cross-section composite fiber

Claims (10)

  An electrostatic filter including a charged non-woven fabric, wherein the non-woven fabric is a first component made of a thermoplastic resin and a first component made of a thermoplastic resin having a post-spinning melting point higher than the post-spinning melting point of the first component. An electrostatic filter comprising: two-component, and the first component includes a modified cross-section composite fiber formed by coating at least a part of the surface of the second component.   The electrostatic filter according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric is thermally bonded by the first component.   The modified cross-section composite fiber is a sheath-core fiber in which the first component constitutes a sheath portion that occupies the entire fiber surface, and the second component constitutes a core portion. 2. The electrostatic filter according to 2.   At least a part of the irregular cross-section composite fiber has 3 or more and 8 or less protrusions in a cross-sectional shape of a cross section cut by a plane perpendicular to the length direction of the fiber. 2. The electrostatic filter according to item 1.   At least a part of the odd-shaped cross-section composite fiber has one or a plurality of recesses extending along the length direction of the fiber formed between the protrusions on at least a part of the fiber surface. The electrostatic filter according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the recesses forms an acute angle in a cross section of the fiber.   The electrostatic filter according to claim 1, wherein a polyethylene glycol fiber treatment agent is attached to the irregular cross-section composite fiber.   A first component made of a thermoplastic resin, and a second component made of a thermoplastic resin having a melting point after spinning higher than the melting point of the first component after spinning, and the first component is the second component A method for producing an electrostatic filter, comprising: charging a non-woven fabric using a modified cross-section composite fiber formed by coating at least a part of the surface of the non-woven fabric to charge the non-woven fabric.   Before the step of applying the charging treatment, a step of applying heat to the web containing the irregular cross-section composite fiber to obtain the nonwoven fabric by thermally bonding at least a part of the constituent fibers of the web with the first component. The manufacturing method according to claim 7, further comprising:   The manufacturing method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a step of applying a polyethylene glycol fiber treatment agent to the modified cross-section composite fiber before the heat bonding step.   An air cleaning method including a step of collecting particles contained therein through air through the electrostatic filter according to claim 1.