Breakthrough-detecting sensor-integrated gas filtration system for preemptive saturation diagnosis and active self-regeneration

초록

Conventional adsorptive gas filters operate as passive capture media and therefore suffer from a fundamental limitation: the breakthrough point is typically inferred from fixed maintenance intervals or external analysis rather than directly diagnosed from the filter itself. Here, an active activated carbon fiber (ACF) filter platform is reported in which a dispenser-printed Ag-electrode sensor is directly integrated onto the filter surface to enable real-time electrical detection of saturation during adsorption of benzene, toluene, and xylene, together with immediate regeneration through Joule heating (JH). The embedded sensor continuously tracks resistance changes associated with gas accumulation in the ACF and provides an objective criterion for identifying the saturation point before actual downstream leakage becomes evident. The system exhibits clear concentrationdependent breakthrough behavior, stable sensing responses over repeated cycling, and effective JH-driven recovery of filter performance. An optimized regeneration temperature of 250 degrees C provides the best balance between efficient filter refresh and suppression of thermal damage. Even after 1000 repeated cycles, both the ACF filter and the integrated Ag electrode retain sufficient structural and electrical stability for reliable operation. This work establishes a practical route toward self-diagnostic and self-regenerating gas-filtration systems for sustainable volatile organic compound management.

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