Photocatalytic air-purification: a low-cost, real-time gas detection method

Abstract

This research demonstrates the use of a gas detector as a feasible alternative to the standardized analytical methods typically found in photocatalytic air-purification ISO standard tests and academic literature. A methyl mercaptan detector is calibrated and validated (for linearity) using a standard gas generator. The detector can be directly connected to the photoreactor exit allowing real-time span gas measurement with data-logging at one minute intervals. The detector successfully differentiated samples with different photocatalytic performance. The use of such detectors offers an easy-to-use, low-cost alternative to gas measurement with applications in academic research, proof-of-concept photocatalytic tests and also as an educational tool.