February 16, 2023
Samsung Unveils Easily Renewable Photocatalyst-Based Air Purification Filter Technology.
Today, Samsung Electronics unveiled a new air filter technology that can be utilised for 20 years with a quick water wash while simultaneously collecting particulate matter (PM) and breaking down volatile organic compounds (VOCs). On February 15th, UK Time, a paper on the technology was published in the journal Nature Communications.
According to Hyuk Jae Kwon, one of the lead/corresponding authors from Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, “This initiative started by listening to comments from makers and consumers of air purification filters” (SAIT). Future research will be expanded in order to hasten the commercialization of long-life filters, according to the plan.
The conventional air purification filters’ limited lifespan of six months to a year need regular replacement. Additionally, the performance of space-saving air purifiers is limited because each filter can only filter out PM or VOCs, respectively.
To solve these issues, SAIT researchers created and applied a revolutionary filter technique that first uses photocatalysts like copper oxide (Cu2O) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) and confirms their viability for commercialization.
Samsung’s ceramic catalyst filter technology is anticipated to support the implementation of small, disposable waste and cost-intensive air purification system replacements.
The filter’s inorganic membrane is covered and decomposes VOC gases on the photocatalyst on the exit channel under a single-pass airflow while first capturing PMs in the porous ceramic wall at the entrance channel. The dust loading capacity is increased by four times compared to traditional filters, from five grammes per litre to twenty, and it combines two separate gas and dust filters.
Additionally, because the SAIT-developed Cu2O/TiO2 photocatalyst is insoluble, the filter may be easily cleaned with water to regenerate, maintaining its initial ability to remove PM and VOC gases. The filter can last up to 40 times longer than a standard HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, assuming 10 times of regeneration through water-washing. It can be used for 20 years.
In order to perform further analysis, Samsung Electronics wants to create prototypes for the air conditioning systems in its semiconductor campuses’ office buildings, bus terminals, and underground parking garages.
February 1, 2023
