Fluidized-bed photocatalytic degradation of airborne styrene

Monomeric styrene, an aromatic compound present in many industries involved in the processing of fiberglass reinforced plastic products, is potentially carcinogenic. Based on current literature, studies on the breakdown of styrene via photocatalysis are limited. This study aims to develop suitable photocatalysts to be used in the mineralization of styrene. In particular, two specific objectives are of interest: first, the development of photocatalysts which are able to work under ultraviolet (UV) radiation and potentially visible/solar light irradiation; secondly, the design of an efficient fluidized-bed photoreactor. Preliminary work done using titania-based catalysts incorporated into a designed bench-scale UV photoreactor indicates that up to 80% of styrene can be degraded to water and carbon dioxide, based on an effective concentration (C0) of 300 ppm.