Abstract
Combinations of TiO2 photocatalysts and various adsorbents have been extensively investigated for eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at low concentrations. Herein, TiO2 and porous glass cloth composites were prepared by acid leaching and subsequent TiO2 dip-coating of the electrically applied glass (E-glass) cloth, and its adsorption and photocatalytic ability were investigated. Acid leaching increased the specific surface area of the E-glass cloth from 1 to 430 m2/g while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength for supporting TiO2. Further, the specific surface area remained large (290 m2/g) after TiO2 coating. In the photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous 2-propanol, the TiO2-coated porous glass cloth exhibited higher adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition ability than those exhibited by the TiO2-coated, non-porous glass cloth. The porous composite limited desorption of acetone, which is a decomposition intermediate of 2-propanol, until 2-propanol was completely decomposed to CO2. The CO2 generation rate was affected by the temperature condition (15 or 35 °C) and the water content (2 or 18 mg/L); the latter also influenced 2-propanol adsorption in photocatalytic decomposition. Both the conditions may change the diffusion and adsorption behavior of 2-propanol in the porous composite. As demonstrated by its high adsorption and photocatalytic ability, the composite (TiO2 and porous glass cloth) effectively eliminates VOCs, while decreasing the emission of harmful intermediates.
Highlights
Indoor air pollution by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is considered to be a serious health problem
The micro-structural change of the electrically applied glass (E-glass) cloth that was prepared by acid leaching and TiO2 coating was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE–SEM)
A composite material of TiO2 and porous glass cloth was prepared by acid leaching of an E-glass glass cloth wasWorking preparedinward by acidfrom leaching of ansurface, E-glass composite material of TiO2 and clothAand subsequent dip-coating of aporous the fiber cloth and subsequent dip-coating of a
Summary
Indoor air pollution by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is considered to be a serious health problem. Construction materials emit various VOCs, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene, xylene, hexane, acetone, and 2-propanol, which can cause the sick building syndrome even at VOC concentrations lower than 1 ppm [1]. The VOC concentrations in the work spaces are strictly limited to prevent health damage from prolonged exposure. The imposed concentration limits of the major solvents are in the range of 10–103 ppm [2]. Photocatalysts have been extensively investigated in VOC decomposition because of their strong oxidation abilities under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and because of their ability to decompose various organic compounds [3,4,5,6]. The VOC decomposition rates are observed to be insufficient
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