3D-Printed Grids with Polymeric Photocatalytic System as Flexible Air Filter

Abstract Significant concerns regarding nitric oxide removal are related to the difficulty in developing a catalytic system with improved removal efficiency. With the consideration to immobilize efficient photocatalyst, fulfill multilevel hierarchy and involve excellent reusability, 3D printing methodology is adopted to explore the novel photocatalytic system as a flexible and freestanding air filter. The efficient photocatalyst - g-C3N4 serves as starting material, while the Poly-(ethylene glycol) double acrylate is used as both dispersant and matrix to form an optimal ink. By forming newly bonded composite, the band gap of g-C3N4 is reduced by 0.1 eV, led to increasing of photocatalysis efficiency. This photocatalytic system exhibits excellent NO removal capability and durability, indicating that such air filter can be a promising candidate for a real application. Simulation models are also established to study light absorption in the grid geometry as well as the influence of printing parameter like grid spacing.