Abstract
The release of substantial amounts of toxicologically significant, irritant, and malodourous compounds during the complete combustion of tobacco can generate an unpleasant environment, especially indoors. Herein, we developed non-woven fabric-supported UV- and visible-light-responsive photocatalysts capable of adsorbing and decomposing the odour and tar components of tobacco smoke under irradiation with UV or visible light. The processes of odour component adsorption and subsequent decomposition under irradiation were evaluated in terms of colour changes in the catalytic system and by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. By considering three different photocatalysts, namely TiO2, Fe(III)-grafted TiO2, and Cu(II)-grafted WO3, we assessed the magnitude of odour and tar component adsorption on the fabric fibres, as well as the decomposition of these species after specific visible light or UV irradiation periods. Considering the expansion of our technology for practical applications, the best results among the three tested materials were obtained for non-woven fabric-supported Fe/TiO2. We believe that our technology can be implemented in the design of interior decoration materials for creating a comfortable environment.
Highlights
In recent years, third-hand smoke has been identified as a new, hazardous, and unpleasant consequence of cigarette smoking [1]
Preparation of the Non‐Woven Fabric‐Supported Photocatalysts photocatalyst, TiO2 P 25, are shown in Figure 1b, evidencing that the TiO2 films are made up of Figure 1a shows the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of pristine non‐woven fabric, sub-micron particles. These fabrics show a similar morphology with fabrics that we previously prepared whose fibres are made of a thermoplastic resin; the fibres have diameters of 10–20 μm with a smooth and analysedsurface
These figuresprepared indicate that photocatalyst were (XRD)
Summary
Third-hand smoke has been identified as a new, hazardous, and unpleasant consequence of cigarette smoking [1] It comprises all the chemical residues resulting from smoking tobacco, which soak into clothing, upholstery, walls, furniture, hair, and other objects even after the cigarette has been put out. These deposits remain attached to the host material for months, and are hard to eliminate using common ventilation systems, causing serious health consequences for smokers but for whoever enters a contaminated environment [2]. Photocatalysts have demonstrated strong oxidation abilities in redox systems since they were first reported in the 1970s [4]; as most pollutants in the atmosphere can be removed by several kinds
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