Experiment on the formaldehyde removal performance of TiO2 coating agent for finishing materials

Abstract

As the frequency of indoor habitation escalates and advancements in building technology optimize airtightness, the importance of maintaining high-quality indoor air has grown increasingly critical. This urgency is further amplified by the proliferation of chemical building materials, necessitating more effective strategies for air pollutant abatement. To address this need, the current study explored the utility of titanium dioxide photocatalysts, which possess chemical decomposition capabilities, as a means of improving air quality within indoor environments. To verify the effectiveness of this approach, the research focused on the removal of formaldehyde—a quintessential indoor air pollutant—by incorporating a titanium dioxide photocatalyst into a coating agent commonly employed in construction materials. Notably, ultraviolet (UV) light, essential for activating the photocatalytic process, is generally absent in indoor settings. To mitigate this limitation, a consistent source of UV radiation was provided through the use of an UV lamp. Adhering to protocols outlined by the International Organization for Standardization, we employed a photoreactor to evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency of the composite material under varying intensities of UV radiation and reactor volumes. The results unequivocally confirmed that variations in UV radiation intensity and reactor volume significantly influenced the photocatalytic effectiveness of the material, resulting in a demonstrable reduction in pollutant concentrations. These findings suggest the feasibility of utilizing titanium dioxide photocatalysts for mitigating outdoor air pollutants, where natural UV radiation is more readily available. However, for indoor applications, the absence of naturally occurring UV radiation presents a considerable challenge. Overcoming this constraint could facilitate the indoor application of photocatalytic coatings, as informed by the optimal conditions of low pollutant reactivity and robust UV radiation revealed in this study, thereby substantially enhancing indoor air quality. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.