Samsung Introduces Easily Regenerable Air Purifying Filter Technology Applying Photocatalysts – Samsung Global Newsroom

Newly developed filter simultaneously removes particulates and volatile organic chemicals as primary air pollutants while maintaining original performance for up to 20 years

Samsung Electronics today introduced a new air filter technology that simultaneously collects particulate matter (PM) and breaks down volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and can be used for 20 years by simply washing with water. A study of the technology was published in the journal Nature Communications on February 15 UK time.

“This project was born from listening to suggestions from air purification filter manufacturers and users,” said Hyuk Jae Kwon, one of the lead/corresponding authors from Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT). “We plan to expand the research to accelerate the commercialization of long-life filters in the future.”

▲ Filter structure

Conventional air purification filters need to be replaced frequently due to their short cycle of six months to a year. Additionally, each filter can only remove PM or VOCs, respectively, which limits the spatial efficiency of air purifiers.

To address these issues, SAIT researchers developed and implemented unprecedented filter technology that applies photocatalysts such as copper oxide (Cu₂O) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) for the first time and verifies commercialization viability.

Samsung’s ceramic catalytic filter technology is expected to help implement compact air purification systems, significantly reducing both disposable waste and the costs of frequent filter replacement.

The filter is designed to capture PM first in the porous ceramic wall at the inlet channel, where the inorganic membrane is coated and breaks down the VOC gases on the photocatalyst to the outlet channel under an airflow single pass. It combines two different filters for dust and gases and quadruples the dust carrying capacity compared to conventional filters, from five grams per liter to 20.

Moreover, since the Cu developed by SAIT₂O/TiO₂ photocatalyst is insoluble, the filter can be regenerated by simply washing with water and retains its initial PM and VOC gas removal performance. Assuming ten times regeneration by water washing, the filter can be used for 20 years, with a service life up to 40 times longer than the conventional HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.

For further evaluation, Samsung Electronics plans to produce prototype air conditioning units in office buildings, bus terminals and underground parking lots at its semiconductor campuses.