Heterogeneous photocatalytic removal of toluene from air on building materials enriched with TiO2

This paper reports the potential of heterogeneous photocatalysis as an advanced oxidation technology for removal of toluene from air using TiO2 as a photocatalyst in building materials. First, the photocatalytic activity of two types of TiO2 containing building materials, i.e. roofing tiles and corrugated sheets, has been investigated at ambient conditions (T=25.0 °C; relative humidity RH=47%; toluene inlet concentration [TOL]in=17–35 ppbv). Toluene removal efficiencies up to 63% were observed at a gas residence time (τ) of 17 s. Second, the effect of RH (1–77%), [TOL]in (23–465 ppmv) and τ (17–115 s) on toluene removal has been systematically investigated using TiO2 containing roofing tiles as photocatalytic building materials. Results revealed lower toluene removal efficiencies at higher RH and [TOL]in, whereas a positive effect was observed with increased τ. Under optimal conditions, toluene removal efficiencies up to 78±2% and elimination rates higher than 100 mg h−1 m−2 roofing tile were obtained. A decline in photocatalytic activity by a factor of 2 was observed after operation at gas residence times shorter than 69 s and [TOL]in higher than 76 ppmv. Washing the building materials with deionized water, simulating rainfall, could partially (i.e. by a factor 1.3) regenerate the catalyst activity.