Research and development of high efficient anti-bacteria porous filters for the use in air purifier

(Innovation and Technology Fund, ITP/026/10NI, HK$1,200,000, 2010 -2011) + (GSP-Internship Programme, InP/321/10 , HK$151,200, 2010-2011) + (GSP-Internship Programme, InP/322/10 , HK$126,000, 2010-2011) On average, people generally spend 88% of their time in indoor environment. The quality of indoor air has a direct impact on human health in terms of lengthened exposure to pollutants by inhalation. Photocatalysis has been shown to be a promising and effective technology for decontamination, purification, and deodorization of air. Unlike traditional pollution control method such as adsorption which merely transfers pollutant from gaseous phase to solid phase, photocatalytic actually oxidizes pollutants to CO2 and H2O. In this project, we will develop mesoporous TiO2 photocatalytic coating immobilized on 3D porous filters installed in an air cleaner. The 3D porous foamed filters have tortuous pore structures which enhance intense turbulence and mixing, offering the catalytic system excellent gas-dynamic properties and sufficient contact between the gaseous reactants with the surface of the catalysts. Mesoporous TiO2 thin films photocatalyst possess high specific area, pore volume and small pore size. Therefore, the developed photoctalytic air filters installed in air cleaner should be more effective because it can offer more active sites for carrying out catalytic reactions in air purification and anti-bacteria.

Funding Source: HKSAR Govt - Innovative and Technology Fund (ITF)