ISO DIS 17168-3

Description / Abstract: This part of ISO 17168 specifies a test method for the determination of the air-purification performance of materials that contain a photocatalyst or have photocatalytic films on the surface, usually made from semiconducting metal oxides, such as titanium dioxide or other ceramic materials, by continuous exposure of a test piece to the model air pollutant under illumination with indoor light. This part of ISO 17168 is intended for use with different kinds of materials, such as construction materials in flat sheet, board or plate shape, which are the basic forms of materials for various applications. This part of ISO 17168 also applies to materials in honeycomb-form, and to plastic or paper materials if they contain ceramic microcrystals and composites. This part of ISO 17168 does not apply to powder or granular photocatalytic materials.

This test method is usually applicable to photocatalytic materials produced for air purification. This method is not suitable for the determination of other performance attributes of photocatalytic materials, i.e., decomposition of water contaminants, self-cleaning, antifogging and antibacterial actions. It concerns the removal of toluene

Photocatalyst is a substance that performs decomposition and removal of contaminants, self-cleaning, antifogging, deodorization, and antibacterial actions under photoirradiation. Their application has expanded considerably in recent years. The application of photocatalyst for indoor spaces has been sought with increased concern as a solution to the indoor environmental problems. Since conventional photocatalysts are responsive only to ultraviolet light, studies have been made to develop a indoor-light-active photocatalyst that makes effective use of indoor light, which room lights mainly emit, and thus demonstrates high photocatalytic performance indoors. The development has recently led to the commercialization of various indoor-light-active photocatalytic products, and the establishment of test methods to evaluate the performance of such a type of photocatalyst is needed. Part 3 , with Part 1 and 2 as the basis, is intended to provide a testing method to determine the performance of indoor-light-active photocatalytic materials respecting the removal of toluene, a representative aromatic VOC, enabling swift distribution of photocatalytic products and thus contributing to safe and clean environment.