Publication date: 10th October 2023
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a current concern due to the increased time spent inside buildings. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a building-related disease when the symptoms are directly related to airborne pollution1,2. It reduces the worker’s productivity and the annual cost attributed to SBS in the USA it is estimated to be between $10 billion to $70 billion3.
One of the most significant challenges is to develop a cost-effective degradation method at low pollutant concentrations. The existing body of research on volatile organic compounds (VOC) oxidation reactions suggests that thermal and photocatalytic processes are the two most relevant techniques applied to breakdown indoor air pollutants. One of the most significant current discussions regarding thermal oxidation reactions is their costs, as it requires high temperatures (over 600°C) to be efficient4,5. In this scenario, photocatalytic degradation can be considered the most promising option, enabling a less demanding temperature and pressure, and is, therefore, more cost-effective.
The main goal of our project is to develop nanostructured SrTiO3 perovskites (STO) with {100} and {110} facets and study the effects of different crystal facets on VOC photooxidation reactions. Since the surface atomic structures of facets are different, the adsorption energy and states of adsorbates vary with different facets6. Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) indicates that the ν(C=O) band of acetone decreases in intensity over time. Also, absorption bands related to formate and acetate increase over time, and for CO2 the highest intensity is observed after 60 min. of illumination. To gain insights into exposed facets and their functionalities, as well as structure-performance correlations and the mechanism of acetone photooxidation, a novel in situ Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (FT-IRRAS) setup is being used in which STO films with specific surface termination and orientation are employed. For evaluation of the photocatalytic activity, a top-illuminated batch reactor in line with a gas chromatograph is being used to track the photocatalytic oxidation of acetone into CO2 and water. Furthermore, the effects of {100} and {110} facets on the photophysical dynamics of SrTiO3 are being studied by time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy.
The most promising material will be incorporated into paint systems. The resulting functional paints will be tested for their activity in air purification, and their performance will be optimized by careful paint formulation.
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