Environmentally Friendly Methylcellulose Blend Binder for Hydrophobic Dust Control

A critical demand has existed for the past two decades to develop environmentally friendly, naturally degradable, and cost-effective materials to mitigate hydrophobic pollutants that directly endanger the environment and public health. Here, a newly developed methylcellulose blend (MCB), composed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and liquid amphiphilic polymer (LAP), synergistically enhanced the wettability of hydrophobic particles as a water additive and increased the average particle size as a binder. This observation was leveraged to evaluate MCB-based dust controlling materials via air filtering performance, mechanical vibration, and wind erosion tests. The filtration efficiency of filter membranes was enhanced up to 95% by a spray coating of MCB, while maintaining the same breathability as the untreated membrane. MCB sprayed on the surface of dust sources reduced generation of inhalable dust of