Enhancement of Air Filter with TiO2 Photocatalysis for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Removal

Chuleewan Thunyasirinon; Pipat Sribenjalux; Sitthisuntorn Supothina; Paradee Chuaybamroong

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2014.01.0009

Enhancement of Air Filter with TiO2 Photocatalysis for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Removal

Chuleewan Thunyasirinon¹, Pipat Sribenjalux², Sitthisuntorn Supothina³, Paradee Chuaybamroong ⁴

¹Public Health Program, Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, (null), Thailand
²Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, (null), Thailand
³National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, (null), Thailand
⁴Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, (null), Thailand

Received: January 15, 2014
Revised: April 23, 2014
Accepted: July 30, 2014
Download Citation: ||https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2014.01.0009

Download: PDF

Cite this article:
Thunyasirinon, C., Sribenjalux, P., Supothina, S. and Chuaybamroong, P. (2015). Enhancement of Air Filter with TiO2 Photocatalysis for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Removal. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 15: 600-610. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2014.01.0009

HIGHLIGHTS

Low grade and high grade air filters enhanced with photocatalysis could be used for TB control.
Dark and light conditions have the effect on properties of TiO₂ coated filter.
Longer UVA initiation period could enhance the bacterial removal efficiency.

ABSTRACT

HEPA filter is normally recommended for removal of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the airstream. Due to its high cost, a cheaper air-filter substitution is proposed in this study. Both low- and high-grade glass fiber air filters were coated with 5% TiO₂ using either polyethylene glycol (PEG), Silane (Si-69), or DURAMAX (D-3005) as a binder. The coated filter was placed in a test duct and irradiated with UVA at an intensity of 4.85 ± 0.41 mW/cm² to investigate photocatalysis for M. tuberculosis. The effects of dark and light conditions as well as initial exposure to UVA on bacterial removal were studied. Silver-doped and iron-doped TiO₂ at different concentrations were also tested using face velocities of 0.1 and 1 m/s and humidity levels of 50 ± 10% and 70 ± 10% RH.

The most appropriate binder for coating TiO₂ onto filters was 3% D3005. Using 0.1% metal-doping, 100% removal efficiencies were found. Dark/light conditions affected the hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of TiO₂-coated filters and the removal efficiencies. The removal rate could be increased by extending the warm up period of the lamps. When the face velocity was increased, the removal efficiency dropped in both filters. Similarly, high humidity adversely affected the removal efficiency, particularly with the coated high grade air filter.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Binder; Microorganism disinfection; TiO2 immobilized filter; Air filter