Photocatalytic self-cleaning eco-friendly paint: A unique approach for efficient indoor air pollutant removal and surface disinfection

Improving of air quality, particularly the removal of indoor-air pollutants with direct environmental and health implications, remains a significant challenge in modern society. We, herein, present a novel approach using photocatalytic eco-friendly paint to effectively eliminate indoor air pollutants and disinfect surfaces. Ultra Small Porous Nitrogen-doped Titanium dioxide (USPNT), which has been successfully incorporated into the paint by different coating techniques. The UPSNT photocatalyst was synthesized via probe sonication coupled sol-gel technique, resulting in anatase phase with a high surface area of 83 m²/g. The efficiency of the UPSNT-coated paint in removing air pollutant like p-xylene under simulated indoor illumination is considered. In additional, it showed the capability to disinfect pathogens like E. coli, remove surface dirt, such as organic dyes, confirming its self-cleaning properties. This will lead to develop a direct eco-friendly paint by formulating USPNT directly with suitable binders promotes the durability of indoor and outdoor air quality as well as reducing "sick building syndrome''.