paint- 2020

Title: Field Study on the Improvement of Indoor Air Quality with Toluene Adsorption Finishing Materials in an Urban Residential Apartment.
Authors: Jisoo Jeon, Ji Hun Park, Seunghwan Wi, Beom Yeol Yun, Taeyeon Kim, Sumin Kim.
Affiliation: Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
History: Received on November 29, 2019; revised on February 4, 2020; accepted on February 4, 2020; available online from February 7, 2020.
Keywords: Toluene adsorptive paint, indoor air quality, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), activated carbon.

Context: To address indoor air quality issues in Korean apartments due to VOC emissions from wallpaper and adhesives.
Objective: To test the efficiency of toluene adsorptive paint made with activated carbon to reduce toluene concentration in indoor environments.
Method: The paint is created by blending activated carbon with an inorganic binder, with tests done on its adsorption performance.

Definition: Organic compounds with a boiling point lower than 250°C that easily evaporate at room temperature.
Symptoms of Exposure: Include conjunctival irritation, headaches, allergic reactions, and are associated with sick building syndrome.
Sources of VOCs: Emitted from burning processes and many household items like paints, adhesives, furniture, and cleaning products.
Indoor Concentration: Tends to be higher than outdoors; people spend about 90% of their time indoors, raising concern for health risks.
VOCs from Building Materials: Recognized as a significant cause of deteriorating indoor air quality.
Removal Techniques: Recovery (adsorption, condensation) and destruction methods (incineration, photocatalysis).

Composition: Made by mixing activated carbon and inorganic binder.
Activated Carbon: Known for high adsorption capacity, resistance to acids/bases, and thermal stability.
Research Gap: Limited studies on using activated carbon in paint, contrasting other applications in building materials.

Activated Carbon: Sourced from Daewon Trading Company; characterized by high surface area, pore volume, and pore diameter.
Inorganic Binder Components: Mostly silicates from Pium Innovation Co.
Substrates for Testing: Gypsum board, mortar, and glass plate.

Preparation Process: Mixed at a 1:2 ratio and applied to substrates using brushes, dried at 80°C, achieving a thickness of 0.5mm.

Setup: Conducted in a 10L stainless steel chamber with controlled temperature and humidity to determine the adsorption efficiency.
Calculation: Adsorption ratio calculated using residual toluene concentration measurements.

Real-World Application: Conducted in an apartment case study, comparing different application scenarios of the adsorptive paint and wallpaper.
Measurement Technique: Indoor toluene concentration monitored over several days post-application.
Results: Paint demonstrated significant reduction in indoor toluene levels, confirming its effectiveness.

Adsorption Performance: High efficiency with average toluene adsorption ranging from 97.9% to 99.1% based on substrate types.
Field Experiment Outcomes: Best performance noted with a reduction of up to 96.3% in toluene concentration after usage.
Surface Morphology: FE-SEM analysis showed effective pore structures in both activated carbon and painted surfaces aiding in adsorption mechanisms.
Chemical Properties: FTIR analysis suggested retention of non-polar functional groups crucial for effective adsorption.

Effectiveness: Toluene adsorptive paint significantly improves indoor air quality by absorbing VOCs like toluene from adhesive sources.
Practical Implications: Simple application methods coupled with aesthetic options like wallpapers make it a viable choice for residential settings.
Broader Usage Potential: Could benefit from wider adoption in construction, especially in places with known VOC emission sources.

Funding: Research supported by a grant from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, South Korea.