Unlocking the Synergy of Coupled Cold Plasma and Luminous Textile Photocatalysis for Indoor Air Purification: Simultaneous Elimination of Ethyl Acetate and Microorganisms
Abstract
This study investigates the simultaneous elimination of ethyl acetate (EA), a representative volatile organic compound (VOC), and Escherichia coli aerosols from indoor air using a continuous-flow dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor coupled with a photocatalytic luminous textile system (Cu/TiO2-coated fibers). The effects of applied voltage, relative humidity, and air-flow rate on pollutant removal and disinfection performance were systematically evaluated. Optimal DBD operation at 18 kV, 1 m3 h-1 airflow, and 70% relative humidity achieved single-process removal efficiencies of 77% for EA and 2 log reduction (CFU mL-1) for E. coli. When photocatalysis was coupled with DBD plasma, a significant combined effect was observed, increasing EA degradation to 87% and bacterial inactivation to 3.8 log (CFU mL-1). The coupling enhanced active-species generation, improved CO2 selectivity (up to 53%), and reduced residual ozone concentration. Humidity positively affected microbial inactivation due to degrees OH radical formation but slightly decreased VOC degradation by limiting ozone regeneration. Results demonstrate the efficiency and scalability of the DBD-photocatalysis hybrid system for multi-pollutant indoor air purification, offering rapid, low-temperature treatment suitable for industrial-scale applications.
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BibTeX
@article{karoui2026unlocking,
title = {{Unlocking the Synergy of Coupled Cold Plasma and Luminous Textile Photocatalysis for Indoor Air Purification: Simultaneous Elimination of Ethyl Acetate and Microorganisms}},
author = {Sarra Karoui and Mohamed Aziz Hajjaji and Ahmed Amine Azzaz and Oussama Baaloudj and Mohamed El Kebir and Mohammod Hafizur Rahman and Amine Aymen Assadi},
journal = {Catalysts},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/catal16060541},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05683573v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Unlocking the Synergy of Coupled Cold Plasma and Luminous Textile Photocatalysis for Indoor Air Purification: Simultaneous Elimination of Ethyl Acetate and Microorganisms
AU - Sarra Karoui
AU - Mohamed Aziz Hajjaji
AU - Ahmed Amine Azzaz
AU - Oussama Baaloudj
AU - Mohamed El Kebir
AU - Mohammod Hafizur Rahman
AU - Amine Aymen Assadi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Catalysts
DO - 10.3390/catal16060541
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05683573v1
AB - This study investigates the simultaneous elimination of ethyl acetate (EA), a representative volatile organic compound (VOC), and Escherichia coli aerosols from indoor air using a continuous-flow dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor coupled with a photocatalytic luminous textile system (Cu/TiO2-coated fibers). The effects of applied voltage, relative humidity, and air-flow rate on pollutant removal and disinfection performance were systematically evaluated. Optimal DBD operation at 18 kV, 1 m3 h-1 airflow, and 70% relative humidity achieved single-process removal efficiencies of 77% for EA and 2 log reduction (CFU mL-1) for E. coli. When photocatalysis was coupled with DBD plasma, a significant combined effect was observed, increasing EA degradation to 87% and bacterial inactivation to 3.8 log (CFU mL-1). The coupling enhanced active-species generation, improved CO2 selectivity (up to 53%), and reduced residual ozone concentration. Humidity positively affected microbial inactivation due to degrees OH radical formation but slightly decreased VOC degradation by limiting ozone regeneration. Results demonstrate the efficiency and scalability of the DBD-photocatalysis hybrid system for multi-pollutant indoor air purification, offering rapid, low-temperature treatment suitable for industrial-scale applications.
SN - 2073-4344
ER -