Smog-Eating Photocatalytic Coating

Smog-Eating Photocatalytic Coating Latest News

Recently, the Delhi government   and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras  collaborated to study “smog-eating” photocatalytic coatings on roads.

About Smog-Eating Photocatalytic Coating

• It is designed to neutralize harmful gases like nitrogen dioxide and volatile hydrocarbons that contribute to toxic air.
• Compound used: It usually uses titanium dioxide as a coating which has advantages for being low-cost and chemically stable.
  • Titanium dioxide is also known for its compatibility with traditional construction materials.
  • It has been “demonstrated that TiO₂-based photocatalytically active construction materials can be useful for gaseous depollution and environmental cleaning processes.
• Working: Photocatalytic activity helps fight pollution by breaking down harmful substances and organic waste into less toxic or harmless matters using light energy, thereby making air and water cleaner.

What is Smog?

• Smog is used to refer to a type of air pollution caused by a combination of smoke (and other pollutants) and fog.
• Smog encompasses a broad category of air pollutants created through a multitude of processes that relate specifically to the atmospheric conditions of the formation region. 
• Two distinct types of smog are recognized
  • Sulfurous smog: It results from a high concentration of sulfur oxides in the air and is caused by the use of sulfur-bearing fossil fuels, particularly coal.
  • Photochemical smog: It occurs most prominently in urban areas that have large numbers of automobiles..

Source: IE

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