Environmental Fungi Control by Photocatalytic Paints

SCHUMACHER, ROCÍO; SALVADORES, FEDERICO; SATUF, MARÍA LUCILA; ALFANO, ORLANDO MARIO; BALLARI, MARÍA DE LOS MILAGROS; ZACARIAS, SILVIA MERCEDES

Belo Horizonte

Encuentro; VIII Encontro sobre Aplicações Ambientais de Processos Oxidativos Avançados - II Congresso Iberoamericano de Processos Oxidativos Avançados (8 EPOA - 2 CIPOA); 2015

In the present work, the environmental fungi inactivation employing photocatalytic paints and indoor lighting was assessed. The paints were formulated with modified carbon doped TiO2 active under visible radiation. A significant photocatalytic inactivation of Aspergillus niger was observed when the paint was irradiated. Also a minor fungi growth control was found in the dark. Based on these results, a promising technology for microorganism control over photocatalytic coated surfaces can be expected for dark and irradiated conditions, without the application of dangerous and toxic chemical fungicide in the paint.