Ambient Air Purification by Nanotechnologies: From Theory to Application
Air pollution has been a recurring problem in northern Chinese cities, and high concentrations of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in winter have been a particular cause for concern. Secondary aerosols converted from precursor gases (i.e., nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) evidently accoun...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Catalysts |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/11/1276 |
| _version_ | 1797510924688424960 |
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| author | Jun-ji Cao Yu Huang Qian Zhang |
| author_facet | Jun-ji Cao Yu Huang Qian Zhang |
| author_sort | Jun-ji Cao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Air pollution has been a recurring problem in northern Chinese cities, and high concentrations of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in winter have been a particular cause for concern. Secondary aerosols converted from precursor gases (i.e., nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) evidently account for a large fraction of the PM<sub>2.5</sub>. Conventional control methods, such as dust removal, desulfurization, and denitrification, help reduce emissions from stationary combustion sources, but these measures have not led to decreases in haze events. Recent advances in nanomaterials and nanotechnology provide new opportunities for removing fine particles and gaseous pollutants from ambient air and reducing the impacts on human health. This review begins with overviews of air pollution and traditional abatement technologies, and then advances in ambient air purification by nanotechnologies, including filtration, adsorption, photocatalysis, and ambient-temperature catalysis are presented—from fundamental principles to applications. Current state-of-the-art developments in the use of nanomaterials for particle removal, gas adsorption, and catalysis are summarized, and practical applications of catalysis-based techniques for air purification by nanomaterials in indoor, semi-enclosed, and open spaces are highlighted. Finally, we propose future directions for the development of novel disinfectant nanomaterials and the construction of advanced air purification devices. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:38:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-30518d6b256843a798dc1180de2c3941 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4344 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:38:08Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Catalysts |
| spelling | doaj.art-30518d6b256843a798dc1180de2c39412023-11-22T22:44:48ZengMDPI AGCatalysts2073-43442021-10-011111127610.3390/catal11111276Ambient Air Purification by Nanotechnologies: From Theory to ApplicationJun-ji Cao0Yu Huang1Qian Zhang2State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology (SKLLQG), Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710061, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology (SKLLQG), Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710061, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology (SKLLQG), Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an 710061, ChinaAir pollution has been a recurring problem in northern Chinese cities, and high concentrations of PM<sub>2.5</sub> in winter have been a particular cause for concern. Secondary aerosols converted from precursor gases (i.e., nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) evidently account for a large fraction of the PM<sub>2.5</sub>. Conventional control methods, such as dust removal, desulfurization, and denitrification, help reduce emissions from stationary combustion sources, but these measures have not led to decreases in haze events. Recent advances in nanomaterials and nanotechnology provide new opportunities for removing fine particles and gaseous pollutants from ambient air and reducing the impacts on human health. This review begins with overviews of air pollution and traditional abatement technologies, and then advances in ambient air purification by nanotechnologies, including filtration, adsorption, photocatalysis, and ambient-temperature catalysis are presented—from fundamental principles to applications. Current state-of-the-art developments in the use of nanomaterials for particle removal, gas adsorption, and catalysis are summarized, and practical applications of catalysis-based techniques for air purification by nanomaterials in indoor, semi-enclosed, and open spaces are highlighted. Finally, we propose future directions for the development of novel disinfectant nanomaterials and the construction of advanced air purification devices.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/11/1276nanotechnologiesair purificationphotocatalysisambient-temperature catalysis |
| spellingShingle | Jun-ji Cao Yu Huang Qian Zhang Ambient Air Purification by Nanotechnologies: From Theory to Application Catalysts nanotechnologies air purification photocatalysis ambient-temperature catalysis |
| title | Ambient Air Purification by Nanotechnologies: From Theory to Application |
| title_full | Ambient Air Purification by Nanotechnologies: From Theory to Application |
| title_fullStr | Ambient Air Purification by Nanotechnologies: From Theory to Application |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ambient Air Purification by Nanotechnologies: From Theory to Application |
| title_short | Ambient Air Purification by Nanotechnologies: From Theory to Application |
| title_sort | ambient air purification by nanotechnologies from theory to application |
| topic | nanotechnologies air purification photocatalysis ambient-temperature catalysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/11/11/1276 |
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