In a photocatalytic air purifier system, the catalyst that cleans the air is typically titanium dioxide and it is energized by ultraviolet (UV) light. When UV light shines on the titanium dioxide, electrons (negatively charged particles inside atoms) are released at its surface. The electrons interact with water molecules (H2O) in the air, breaking them up into hydroxyl radicals (OH·), 9which are highly reactive, short-lived, uncharged forms of hydroxide ions (OH−). These small, agile hydroxyl radicals then attack bigger organic (carbon-based like virus) pollutant molecules, breaking apart their chemical bonds and turning them into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water.
Current investigation uses the above principle to kill living organic germs, bacteria; pathogen, etc. from the cabin air in recirculation mode. A HVAC system has been developed by using a filter impregnated by titanium di-oxide (TiO2) with UV lights to improve and maintain cabin air quality. The developed system has been developed to kill virus, germs, pathogens and bacteria that typically exist in a conditioned space. The designed system can be used for conventional vehicles, EVs, ride sharing and for autonomous vehicles. Tests were conducted at a certified laboratory with MS2, a bacteriophage size of 0.027 microns. MS2 is a proxy for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 with a size of 0.125 microns. Effectiveness of the destruction rate was determined for the developed system. Detailed summary will be presented in the paper.
