Enhanced TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Volatile Organic Compound Decomposition Combined with Ultrasonic Atomization in the Co-Presence of Carbon Black and Heavy Metal Nanoparticles

Zen Maeno; Mika Nishitani; Takehiro Saito; Kazuhiko Sekiguchi; Naoki Kagi; Norikazu Namiki

doi:10.3390/molecules29163819

Enhanced TiO₂-Based Photocatalytic Volatile Organic Compound Decomposition Combined with Ultrasonic Atomization in the Co-Presence of Carbon Black and Heavy Metal Nanoparticles

Molecules. 2024 Aug 12;29(16):3819. doi: 10.3390/molecules29163819.

Authors

Zen Maeno¹, Mika Nishitani¹, Takehiro Saito¹, Kazuhiko Sekiguchi², Naoki Kagi³, Norikazu Namiki¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Advanced Engineering, Kogakuin University, 2665-1, Nakano-machi, Hachioji 192-0015, Japan.
² Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura 338-8570, Japan.
³ School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 12-1, Ookayama-2, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are representative indoor air pollutants that negatively affect the human body owing to their toxicity. One of the most promising methods for VOC removal is photocatalytic degradation using TiO₂. In this study, the addition of carbon black (CB) and heavy metal nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated to improve the efficiency of a TiO₂-based photocatalytic VOC decomposition system combined with ultrasonic atomization and ultraviolet irradiation, as described previously. The addition of CB and Ag NPs significantly improved the degradation efficiency. A comparison with other heavy metal nanoparticles and their respective roles are discussed.

Keywords: carbon black; heavy metal nanoparticles; photocatalytic degradation; ultrasonic atomization; volatile organic compound.

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.