The newly developed filter by the South Korean brand removes particles and volatile organic chemicals simultaneously as primary air pollutants, while retaining initial performance for up to 20 years. This breakthrough is expected to significantly reduce waste and costs from frequent filter replacement.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. introduced New air filter technology collects particulate matter (PM) and simultaneously degrades volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and can be used for 20 years with a simple wash with water. A study on the technology has been published in the journal Nature Communications from the uk.
▲ (From left to right) SAIT researchers Dong Sik Yang, Hyun Chul Lee, Hyuk Jae Kwon, and Min Seok Koo
“This project started from the suggestions of manufacturers and users of air purification filters,” said Hyuk Jae-kwon, one of the lead authors/reporters from Samsung Institute of Advanced Technology (SAIT). “We plan to expand the research to accelerate the commercialization of long-life filters in the future.”
Conventional air purifier filters need frequent replacement due to their short cycle of six months to one year. In addition, each filter can only remove VOCs or VOCs, respectively, which limits the space efficiency of air purifiers.
To address these issues, SAIT researchers have developed and implemented an unprecedented filtering technology that uses photocatalysts such as copper oxide (Cu2O) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) for the first time and validates marketability.
Samsung’s ceramic catalyst filter technology is expected to help implement embedded air filtration systems, greatly reducing waste and cost burden caused by frequent filter replacement.
The filter is designed to capture PMs first on the porous ceramic wall in the inlet channel, where the inorganic membrane is coated, and decomposes VOC gases in the photocatalyst in the outlet channel under a single-pass airflow. It combines two different dust and gas filters and increases the dust carrying capacity four times compared to conventional filters, from 5 g/l to 20.
Furthermore, since the Cu2O/TiO2 photocatalyst developed by SAIT is insoluble, the filter can be regenerated with a simple water wash and will still retain the initial PM and VOC off-gassing performance. Assuming it is regenerated 10 times through water washing, the filter can be used for 20 years, with a service life 40 times longer than traditional HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) type.
For further evaluation, Samsung Electronics plans to produce prototypes of air conditioning installations in office buildings, bus stations and underground parking garages at its semiconductor campus.
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