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Study of Titanium Dioxide as Air Pollution Preventant
Amirhusain Momin
Abstract
Titanium dioxide has been researched for its ability to reduce air pollution. Ultraviolet light will
release free electrons from material, thereby creating free radicals, which break up VOCs
(Volatile organic compounds) and NOx gases (nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide). One form is
superhydrophilic. Italian company Italcementi designed a kind of cement that is supposed to fight
air pollution. It should break down pollutants that come in contact with the concrete, thanks to the
use of titanium dioxide absorbing ultraviolet light. Some environmental experts nevertheless
remain skeptical and wonder if the special material can 'eat' enough pollutants to make it
financially viable. Jubilee Church in Rome is built from this kind of concrete.According to
Borgarello: "When the titanium dioxide absorbs ultraviolet light, it becomes powerfully reactive,
breaking down pollutants that come in contact with the concrete. It is particularly good at
attacking the noxious gases that come out of a cars exhaust pipe."Eco-Block, which was invented
by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2006, is an environmental friendly brick made from
recycled materials and construction waste. On the surface layer, there is a special coating made
from titanium oxide (TiO2). When activated by the sunlight, the titanium oxide can catalyze the
decomposition of nitrous oxides into oxygen, water, sulphur, nitrates and other non-toxic solid
compounds which can be washed away by water.
Keywords:- Titanium Dioxide,Ultraviolet light,NOx gases,PhotoCatalytic

Objectives
To reduce air pollution by using Titanium Dioxide
This study evaluated the efficacy of passive photocatalytic air cleaning technology using
titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Origin of Idea
Cleaning the air of pollution is a traditional job for urban trees, but lately buildings, and even
billboards, have got in on the act. However, it turns out we don't need to to substitute visual
pollution for the atmospheric version. A study has revealed the potential of roofing tiles to
turn every house into a battle station for clean air. Titanium dioxide is a highly versatile
compound, used in plastics, sunscreen and food. Titanium Dioxide's intense whiteness makes
it particularly popular in paints, and it is the basis of a new generation of solar
cells. However, its capacity to fight pollution comes from its status as a photocatalyst. When
exposed to ultraviolet light TiO2accelerates many chemical reactions including the oxidation
of smog producing nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (ironically most famous
as new paint smells). The catalytic poetry billboard used nanoparticles of titanium dioxide
to turn nitrogen oxides to soluble nitrates, and volatile organic compounds to fatty acids.
Photocatalytic air cleaning has the potential for removing nitrogen oxides (Nox) and volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) from polluted urben air, and consequently, for reducing

concentration
of
toxic
and
irritating ozone, a key constituent of smog that forms on hot, sunny days. Titanium dioxide
(TiO2) nanoparticles absorb the ultraviolet component of sunlight, acting as a catalyst to
form reactive hydroxyl (OH) radicals in the presence of atmospheric moisture. These radicals
can oxidize and destroy most pollutant molecules. Research and development on this
originated largely in Japan and has recently been pursued in Europe; there is little current
activity in the United States. Widespread use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in building
materials and on road, freeway sound walls, and so forth is proposed by proponents of the
technology, but the efficacy of this approach has been unclear. The main aim of the Directives
is the prevention and progressive reduction of pollution caused by waste from the titanium
dioxide (TiO2) industry. Eventually, all pollution is to be eliminated. Titanium dioxide is a
white pigment used in paints and for other purposes. Its manufacture may result in a much
larger quantity of waste than product and this has frequently been dumped at sea or
discharged into estuaries.

Technique / Technology
The two industrially useful phases of titanium dioxide are rutile and anatase; generally,
anatase particle perform better as photocatalysts, and consequently most R&D focuses on
variants of anatase. Anatase nanoparticles are currently commercially available as thin,
transparent films that can coat glass, tiles and othermaterials. Proponents of TiO2 deployment
on exterior walls, windows and roofing of buildings and on road surfaces, sound walls, etc.
assert that great air quality benefits will result. However, in the marketplaces, it appears that
such nanoparticles are often deployed for another reason, namely that the surfaces are selfcleaning or easily cleaned, and air quality benefits are not a decisive factor. Efficacy of
photocatalytic materials was summarized and tabulated in terms of catalystic activity. Each
square meter of high performance photocatalytic material, exposed to outdoor sunlight, can
remove nitrogen oxides from about 200 cubic meters of air per day. The removal rate for
volatile organic species is about 60 cubic meters of air per day. These numbers are rough
estimates but are based on careful quantitative investigations published in reference cited by
this report. The technology behind such products involves the well-known ability of titanium
dioxide (TiO2) to photocatalytically split water to form hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals.

Future Applications
Photocatalytic compounds such as nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles can be used
to trap and degrade organic and inorganic particles in the air, removing harmful pollutants
such as NOx and VOCs in the presence of UV light (sunlight). In addition, their super
hydrophobic or super hydrophilic properties allow them to self-clean in the presence of rain
[1]. Current applications of this technology are used in building facades and gateway
elements of bridges not subjected to traffic, as in the case of the I-35W Bridge over the
Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis. Recently researchers have applied
photocatalytic technology to pavements using several application methodologies. However,
the proper method of applying titanium dioxide to the concrete surface is still unclear. This

critical factor demands evaluation in order to ensure acceptable durability while providing
optimum environmental performance of the photocatalytic compound.

References:

Google ScienceFair Projects

<https://www.googlesciencefair.com/projects/en/2014/54d9>

Fujishima, A., K. Hashimoto, and T. Watanabe. 1999. TiO2 Photocatalysis Fundament

als and Applications, BKC, Inc., Tokyo