Hybrid materials to reduce pollution involving photocatalysis and particulate matter entrapment

Particulate matter (PM) is characterized by a complex mix of inorganic and organic particles. Organic compounds are present mainly in cities due to traffic and domestic heating and can cause problems to human health. Innovative and sustainable porous materials, like SUNSPACE (“SUstaiNable materials Synthesized from by-Products and Alginates for Clean air and better Environment”), synthesized from industrial by-products (silica fume [SF] and bottom ash [BA]) and their variations were tested to photodegrade organic compounds. First, characterization and adsorption tests were performed. Moreover, another variation of porous materials was proposed by replacing 20% of powders with titanium dioxide (TiO2), well known for its catalytic proprieties. Methylene blue (MB) was used to simulate an organic pollutant. Photodegradation tests were conducted for 3 h in dark conditions, and then a UV lamp was switched on for 5 h. Materials synthesized with BA had the best performance, resulting in a photodegradation capacity of about 50%.