Standardisation and Photocatalysis
Résumé
Photocatalysis is a phenomenon by which UV radiation, activating a catalyst, induces oxidation-reduction chemical reactions of pollutants which are thus degraded. The most commonly used photocatalyst is titanium dioxide (TiO2) in anatase form, which can be used in diverse forms (powder or deposited on some supports such as glass, fabrics, cement-based materials, ceramics,
). There is an increasing number of industrial applications, above all in the building sector (Anti-bacterial ceramic tiles; Self-cleaning glass (windows, automobile side mirrors; Concrete and other cement-based materials, fabrics and tissues, paints, film coating for air or water treatment and Air conditioning systems for indoor air cleaning). Europe represents about 20% of photocatalysis application of the world market as raw and finished materials (photocatalyst in poweder or deposited) but also photocatalytic devices. However, the present situation in the European markets shows a certain suspicion about the benefits produced with the photocatalytic applications, so that the market demand is discontinuous and the market value is slight and not significant yet to forecast a rise at short terms. One of the reasons is there is no adapted or reliable standards that could help the proposal of photocatalytic applications to quantify the improvement of the air and water quality, th e reduction of the chemicals consumption and the safe energy. Since 2008, technical Committee CEN/TC 386 worked to introduce performance standards for photocatalytic effects in key sector as, air purification, water purification, self cleaning application and light sources. The standardization of the photocatalytic processes will allow the rise of this new technology while reassuring the market on reliable apparatuses and of quality. In the lecture I will present and discuss the different European standards, regarding to ISO standard, proposed for measuring the performance of photocatalytic materials and devices.