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Nat Commun

Title:		Self-wetting triphase photocatalysis for effective and selective removal of hydrophilic volatile organic compounds in air
Author(s):		He F; Weon S; Jeon W; Chung MW; Choi W;
Address:		"Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Korea. School of Health and Environmental Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea. Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Korea. wchoi@postech.edu"
Journal Title:		Nat Commun
Year:		2021
Volume:		20211029
Issue:		1
Page Number:		6259 -
DOI:		10.1038/s41467-021-26541-z
ISSN/ISBN:		2041-1723 (Electronic) 2041-1723 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Photocatalytic air purification is widely regarded as a promising technology, but it calls for more efficient photocatalytic materials and systems. Here we report a strategy to introduce an in-situ water (self-wetting) layer on WO(3) by coating hygroscopic periodic acid (PA) to dramatically enhance the photocatalytic removal of hydrophilic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air. In ambient air, water vapor is condensed on WO(3) to make a unique tri-phasic (air/water/WO(3)) system. The in-situ formed water layer selectively concentrates hydrophilic VOCs. PA plays the multiple roles as a water-layer inducer, a surface-complexing ligand enhancing visible light absorption, and a strong electron acceptor. Under visible light, the photogenerated electrons are rapidly scavenged by periodate to produce more *OH. PA/WO(3) exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity for acetaldehyde degradation with an apparent quantum efficiency of 64.3% at 460 nm, which is the highest value ever reported. Other hydrophilic VOCs like formaldehyde that are readily dissolved into the in-situ water layer on WO(3) are also rapidly degraded, whereas hydrophobic VOCs remain intact during photocatalysis due to the 'water barrier effect'. PA/WO(3) successfully demonstrated an excellent capacity for degrading hydrophilic VOCs selectively in wide-range concentrations (0.5-700 ppmv)"
Keywords:
Notes:		"PubMed-not-MEDLINEHe, Fei Weon, Seunghyun Jeon, Woojung Chung, Myoung Won Choi, Wonyong eng England 2021/10/31 Nat Commun. 2021 Oct 29; 12(1):6259. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-26541-z"