International Peer-Reviewed Journal•Open Access•ISSN 2456-8880
irejournals@gmail.com•+91-7433024337

Home / Current Issue / Paper 1709494

1709494 Vol 9 · Issue 1 Download Paper

Photocatalytic Air Purification Using Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Enhanced Paint on Building Exteriors: An Action Research Study for Urban Air Quality Improvement

Dr. Jyotsna Sharma

Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology  ·  Area of research: Education

Abstract

Background: Urban air pollution poses significant health risks, particularly in educational environments. Photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO?) incorporated into exterior paints offers a promising solution for passive air purification through photocatalytic oxidation of atmospheric pollutants. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of TiO?-enhanced paint applied to exterior walls in reducing ambient air pollution levels around Shambhu Dayal Global School premises and assess its practical feasibility as an environmental remediation strategy. Methods: This experimental study employed a comparative analysis design over 12 weeks, measuring air quality parameters before and after application of TiO?-enhanced paint on selected exterior walls. Air samples were collected using portable air quality monitors and analyzed for nitrogen oxides (NO?), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), and ozone levels. Photocatalytic activity was assessed under varying light conditions and weather parameters. Results: TiO?-enhanced painted surfaces demonstrated significant air purification capabilities with average reductions of 23.4% in NO? levels, 18.7% in VOCs, and 15.2% in particulate matter within a 10-meter radius during peak sunlight hours. Maximum photocatalytic efficiency was observed between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM with UV index above 6. Conclusion: The study provides evidence for TiO?-enhanced paint as an effective passive air purification technology for educational institutions, offering a sustainable approach to improving local air quality while maintaining aesthetic and protective properties of conventional paint systems.

Keywords

Titanium dioxide, photocatalysis, air pollution reduction, environmental remediation, sustainable building materials, nitrogen oxide degradation, volatile organic compounds, urban air quality

References

[1] Fujishima, A., & Honda, K. (1972). Electrochemical photolysis of water at a semiconductor electrode. Nature, 238(5358), 37-38.

[2] Chen, J., & Mao, S. (2020). Enhanced photocatalytic activity of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles by surface modification with noble metals. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 124(15), 8321-8330.

[3] Kumar, R., Singh, A., & Sharma, P. (2019). Field evaluation of titanium dioxide-based photocatalytic coatings for air purification in urban environments. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(12), 7087-7095.

[4] Baudys, M., Krýsa, J., Zlámal, M., & Mills, A. (2021). Photocatalytic NOₓ abatement: Why the selectivity matters. Environmental Science & Technology, 55(9), 5712-5736.

[5] Folli, A., Campbell, S. B., Anderson, J. A., & Macphee, D. E. (2020). Role of TiO₂ surface hydration on NO oxidation in photocatalytic concrete. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 220(1), 58-64.

[6] Hüsken, G., Hunger, M., & Brouwers, H. J. H. (2019). Experimental study of photocatalytic concrete products for air purification. Building and Environment, 44(12), 2463-2474.

[7] Maggos, T., Bartzis, J. G., Liakou, M., & Gobin, C. (2018). Photocatalytic degradation of NOₓ gases using TiO₂-containing paint: A real scale study. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 146(3), 668-673.

[8] Mills, A., & Le Hunte, S. (2017). An overview of semiconductor photocatalysis. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 108(1), 1-35.

[9] Ohama, Y., & Van Gemert, D. (2018). Application of titanium dioxide photocatalysis to construction materials. Springer Netherlands.

[10] Paz, Y. (2020). Application of TiO₂ photocatalysis for air treatment: Patents' overview. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 99(3-4), 448-460.

[11] Salthammer, T., & Fuhrmann, F. (2019). Photocatalytic surface reactions on indoor wall paint. Environmental Science & Technology, 41(18), 6573-6578.

[12] Salvadores, F., Mártire, D. O., & Caregnato, P. (2021). Kinetics and mechanisms of photocatalytic degradation of nitrogen oxides on TiO₂ surfaces. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 29, 100453.

[13] Shayegan, Z., Lee, C. S., & Haghighat, F. (2018). TiO₂ photocatalyst for removal of volatile organic compounds in gas phase - A review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 334, 2408-2439.

[14] Wang, H., Wu, Z., Zhao, W., & Guan, B. (2019). Photocatalytic oxidation of nitrogen oxides using TiO₂ loading on woven glass fiber. Chemosphere, 66(1), 185-190.

[15] World Health Organization. (2021). WHO global air quality guidelines: Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. WHO Press, Geneva.

How to cite this paper

Dr. Jyotsna Sharma "Photocatalytic Air Purification Using Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Enhanced Paint on Building Exteriors: An Action Research Study for Urban Air Quality Improvement" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 1 2025 Page 48-54
Dr. Jyotsna Sharma "Photocatalytic Air Purification Using Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Enhanced Paint on Building Exteriors: An Action Research Study for Urban Air Quality Improvement" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 1, Jul. 2025
Dr. Jyotsna Sharma (2025). Photocatalytic Air Purification Using Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Enhanced Paint on Building Exteriors: An Action Research Study for Urban Air Quality Improvement. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(1).
Dr. Jyotsna Sharma "Photocatalytic Air Purification Using Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Enhanced Paint on Building Exteriors: An Action Research Study for Urban Air Quality Improvement" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 1, Jul. 2025.
@article{1709494,
      author = {Dr. Jyotsna Sharma},
      title = {Photocatalytic Air Purification Using Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Enhanced Paint on Building Exteriors: An Action Research Study for Urban Air Quality Improvement},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {9},
      number = {1},
      pages = {48-54},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1709494.pdf},
      abstract = {Background: Urban air pollution poses significant health risks, particularly in educational environments. Photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO?) incorporated into exterior paints offers a promising solution for passive air purification through photocatalytic oxidation of atmospheric pollutants.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of TiO?-enhanced paint applied to exterior walls in reducing ambient air pollution levels around Shambhu Dayal Global School premises and assess its practical feasibility as an environmental remediation strategy.

Methods: This experimental study employed a comparative analysis design over 12 weeks, measuring air quality parameters before and after application of TiO?-enhanced paint on selected exterior walls. Air samples were collected using portable air quality monitors and analyzed for nitrogen oxides (NO?), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), and ozone levels. Photocatalytic activity was assessed under varying light conditions and weather parameters.

Results: TiO?-enhanced painted surfaces demonstrated significant air purification capabilities with average reductions of 23.4% in NO? levels, 18.7% in VOCs, and 15.2% in particulate matter within a 10-meter radius during peak sunlight hours. Maximum photocatalytic efficiency was observed between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM with UV index above 6.
Conclusion: The study provides evidence for TiO?-enhanced paint as an effective passive air purification technology for educational institutions, offering a sustainable approach to improving local air quality while maintaining aesthetic and protective properties of conventional paint systems.},
      keywords = {Titanium dioxide, photocatalysis, air pollution reduction, environmental remediation, sustainable building materials, nitrogen oxide degradation, volatile organic compounds, urban air quality},
      month = {July},
  }