Compound air filter and method of removing airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds therefrom

An air filter to remove airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air within an enclosed space, comprising:

• a support frame comprising a shape and size configured for orienting the air filter within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system;
• a compound filter medium comprising at least two filter media layers, that are retained within the support frame and configured to remove the airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs from the air flowing through the HVAC system, at least one of the at least two media layers comprises of a multiplicity of pleats, wherein a first media layer of the at least two media layers includes embossed shapes disposed in a parallel direction with airflow and between adjacent pleats of the multiplicity of pleats so as to maintain the multiplicity of pleats in a spaced configuration, wherein the embossed shapes are longitudinally aligned such that apices of adjacent pleats contact one another, and each pleat includes a first embossed shape protruding from a first side and a second embossed shape protruding from a second side opposite the first side, and wherein a second media layer is comprised of a woven material adhered to a down-stream side of the first media layer with respect to the airflow;
• and
• a support layer coupled with the compound filter medium and configured to maintain a uniform distribution between the multiplicity of pleats, wherein a first support layer of the one or more support layers includes a wire mesh that is co-pleated and configured to provide reinforcing support.