Photocatalytic Decomposition of Atmospheric Toxic Substances on the TiO₂-loaded Glasses Set on the Roadside of a Highway

Abstract

The aims of the present study are to evaluate the effects of the photocatalytic decomposition of toxic atmospheric substances with TiO₂ in the actual atmospheric environment. Titanium dioxide loaded glass simulates the function of a sound-proof wall with photocatalysis, which was set on the roadside of a highway. The decomposition of attached substances on the glass was measured in warm and cold periods for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and toxicity. From the measurements of the concentration decrease in PAHs artificially attached to the glass, a significant toxicity decrease by TiO₂ photocatalytic decomposition was observed. For the naturally attached toxic substances in the roadside, on the other hand, the decrease was observed less than that of artificial condition. Still, significant decreases were observed for PAHs and Ah-immunoassay in warm periods. For the toxicity of V. fischeri, on the other hand, no significant decrease was observed both in cold and warm periods.