Mesoporous TiO2 Coating for Continuous Ozone-Assisted Air Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purifiers with adsorbent beds are short-lived, require regular replacement, and have limited photocatalytic oxidation efficiency due to titanium dioxide-based catalysts, and lack a continuous air purification system when contaminants reach saturation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a single, enhanced multi-functional titanium dioxide-based coating with mesoporous structures and UV irradiation for photocatalytic oxidation, combined with ozone supply for efficient pollutant removal, and in-situ ozone elimination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single multi-functional coating is used to perform both photocatalytic oxidation and ozone decomposition, then device complexity is reduced, but the contacting surface area for each function is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous substrate as the support for the multi-functional coating. The porous structure provides a large internal surface area that accommodates both photocatalytic oxidation and ozone decomposition functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between using a single coating and maintaining sufficient contacting surface area for both functions.
2Productivity
If adsorbent bed is used to capture contaminants, then pollutant removal is achieved, but the system becomes non-regenerative and requires regular replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ozone as a strong oxidant to work synergistically with the photocatalytic TiO2 coating. This combination enables continuous oxidation and decomposition of captured contaminants, transforming the non-regenerative adsorbent system into a regenerative system where contaminants are continuously degraded rather than merely accumulated, thereby extending system lifespan and eliminating frequent replacements.
3Power
If titanium dioxide-based catalyst is used for photocatalytic oxidation, then oxidation activity is provided, but oxidation rate is limited by contaminant adsorption and release rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ozone as an intermediary substance that enhances the photocatalytic oxidation process. Ozone acts as a mediator that provides additional oxidizing power and facilitates the degradation of contaminants, overcoming the rate limitations imposed by adsorption and release kinetics of the TiO2 catalyst alone, thereby enabling continuous high-rate purification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Achieves a continuous air purification with a pollutant removal rate of 82-84% within 5 minutes, effectively oxidizing NOx, SO2, H2S, formaldehyde, NH3, VOCs, and organic odors under ambient conditions, while avoiding ozone leakage.
Implementation Method 1
an enhanced multi-functional coating having a photo-catalytic activity in the presence of sufficient ozone supply and UV irradiation to remove gaseous pollutants
Implementation Method 2
the TiO 2 -based coating includes a plurality of mesoporous structures with a pore size of 2-20 nm in order to increase the total surface area of the catalyst
Implementation Method 3
Excess ozone is eliminated by the same multi-functional coating before the purified gases are exhausted from the system
Implementation Method 4
An ultra-violet irradiation source is also integrated into the system for activating the photocatalytic property of TiO 2
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system for air purification based on in-situ photocatalytic oxidation and ozonation includes a single multi-functional Ti02-based coating having photocatalytic activity for oxidation in the presence of a sufficient ozone supply and UV irradiation to synergistically oxidize gaseous pollutants at ambient conditions. Also disclosed is a method for removing gaseous pollutants using ozone and UV irradiation to simultaneously activate the photocatalytic oxidation in the presence of the Ti02-based coating to remove up to about 84% of the gaseous pollutants within 5 minutes.