Reactive Air Disinfection Technologies: Principles and Applications in Bioaerosol Removal

Abstract

As COVID-19 and other infectious diseases continue to spread globally, removing airborne pathogens from confined spaces such as buildings, transportation carriers, and stations is becoming increasingly crucial to curbing transmission and reducing human infection rates. Bioaerosols can act as vectors or media that could store and transport air pollutants and pathogens. To mitigate the adverse effects of bioaerosols and effectively control epidemics, this work reviews the current state-ofthe-art air purification processes and technologies available on the market or demonstrated in laboratory and industrial settings, including ozone oxidation, UV disinfection, and photocatalysis. These reactive air purification processes can be used in conjunction with adsorption or filtration-based systems to enhance disinfection besides the physical capture of particulates or the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This review aims to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of various reactive air purification technologies. Their principles, applications, and limitations are briefly discussed to provide insight and guidelines for further development of new air purification processes to address emerging airborne contaminant issues.

Revolutionizing Airborne Virus Defense: Electromagnetic MXene-Coated Air Filtration for Superior Aerosol Viral Removal

“…13 Though microwave disinfection for air purification is still in its infancy, it has demonstrated great potential for broad microbial disinfection and high economic viability. 20 However, due to the high frequency (2.45 GHz) and relatively short wavelength, application of commercial microwave disinfection requires a cavity to prevent microwave leakage and human exposure.…”

“…Electromagnetic waves in the microwave range, with wavelengths ranging from 1 mm to 1 m, have been used in air filtration for airborne virus inactivation, for example, by applying 375 W microwave irradiation to an HVAC filter mounted on a silicon carbide (SiC) disk . Though microwave disinfection for air purification is still in its infancy, it has demonstrated great potential for broad microbial disinfection and high economic viability . However, due to the high frequency (2.45 GHz) and relatively short wavelength, application of commercial microwave disinfection requires a cavity to prevent microwave leakage and human exposure.…”

“…The coronavirus outbreak in 2019 (COVID-19) has profoundly affected global health and raised concerns about the risks of airborne pathogens. Bioaerosols are the main vector that carries the viral agents during air transmission. , Residential settings present heightened risks to inhabitants due to indoor bioaerosol contamination, which is often introduced when infected individuals sneeze or cough. Thus, building heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems become increasingly important for intercepting the transmission of these airborne pathogens.…”

“…Both thermal heating and nonthermal chemical oxidation effects could be imposed on the captured aerosols or microorganisms. Electromagnetic waves in the microwave range, with wavelengths ranging from 1 mm to 1 m, have been used in air filtration for airborne virus inactivation, for example, by applying 375 W microwave irradiation to an HVAC filter mounted on a silicon carbide (SiC) disk . Though microwave disinfection for air purification is still in its infancy, it has demonstrated great potential for broad microbial disinfection and high economic viability .…”

Insights into efficient bacterial inactivation over nano Ag/graphdiyne: dual activation of molecular oxygen and water molecules

“…The coronavirus outbreak in 2019 and other infectious diseases continue to spread recklessly globally, and inactivating airborne pathogens in confined spaces is becoming increasingly important in curbing transmission and reducing human infection rates. 1,2 The emergence of nanomaterials provides excellent solutions for overcoming the pandemic of viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens due to their high abundance, specificity, and ease of modification. [3][4][5] Nano silver (Ag) has a unique surface effect, small size effect and other characteristics, and is widely used in biosensors, 6 catalysis, 7 antibacterial materials 8,9 and other fields.…”