Govt ties up with IIT-Madras for study on 'smog-eating' coatings on roads, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• The Delhi government partnered with IIT-Madras on March 13 for a six-month study on photocatalytic "smog-eating" coatings.
• The project aims to test the effectiveness of these coatings in reducing nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Professor Somnath C Roy of IIT-M leads the government-funded project, which will involve lab testing and field trials in Delhi.
• The study will evaluate titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-based surfaces in dismantling pollutants under simulated smog conditions.

Detailed Insights:

• The collaboration seeks affordable and long-lasting solutions to mitigate air pollution by applying "smog-eating" coatings on roads and buildings.
• IIT-M will recreate Delhi's toxic air in a controlled lab environment, using real data on traffic patterns and pollution levels.
• The study will explore various deployment methods for TiO₂, including mixing it into concrete/asphalt and applying it as coatings or panels.
• The effectiveness of TiO₂ will be tested under varying sunlight intensities to simulate peak smog conditions.
• The photocatalytic process involves TiO₂ generating electrons upon sunlight exposure, which then break down pollutants into simpler substances.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Photocatalysis: A process where a substance uses light to accelerate a chemical reaction.
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂): A toxic air pollutant produced by vehicle emissions and industrial activities.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Organic chemicals that evaporate easily and contribute to air pollution.
• Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂): A semiconductor material used as a photocatalyst to break down pollutants.