Green technologies may turn windows into air-purifying filters. The technology is based on a thin layer of titanium nanoparticles.
A Bulgarian scientist, Bozhidar Stefanov, is involved in the development of the technology. During the Sofia Science Festival, held from 8th to 11th May, he explained that the air in our homes might contain formaldehydes, which were released from the adhesives of inexpensive furniture and synthetic carpets, and dichloromethylene from household chemicals. The scientist added that acetaldehyde might cause headaches, fatigue and hangovers. He said that if the concentration of acetaldehyde in indoor air got high, people might get headaches and fatigues.
Acetaldehyde is among the group of compounds causing the so-called "sick building" syndrome and this problem, related to the indoor air-quality, affects one third of all buildings worldwide. The scientist remarked that it is very progressive to have a window which will remove such contaminants from the indoor air of people’s homes.
Bozhidar Stefanov is part of a team of Uppsala University, which works in the area of developing photocatalytic surfaces for indoor air cleaning. The idea is to put a thin layer of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on windows. Titanium dioxide becomes active in the sunlight, accelerates the breaking down of contaminants and thus purifies the air. The good thing about the technology is that it is not expensive, because the titanium dioxide is one of the cheapest materials and is widely used in paints, varnishes, toothpastes etc., added the scientist.
However, it is more difficult to produce titanium dioxide in a form which is active. Its properties make it a good material to be used in self-cleaning windows, which have recently been introduced to the market.
The researchers are studying whether the same nanoparticles can be used for indoor air cleaning.
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