Development of new active coatings for the adsorption and/or transformation of air pollutants

In recent decades, the concentration of CO₂ and other atmospheric pollutants such as NOx and COVs has increased significantly, especially in cities due to traffic, industry and high population density. Despite emission reduction policies, effective solutions that act directly on pollutants already present in the air are still lacking. These compounds contribute to climate change and cause numerous respiratory diseases, so improving air quality is an environmental and health priority. In this context, the DACCO2 project, coordinated by AIMPLAS, aims to develop active coatings capable of adsorbing or degrading pollutants when applied to indoor and outdoor furniture surfaces.

• The coating composition combines photocatalytic and adsorbent activity to simultaneously remove air pollutants (NO_X and COVs) and greenhouse gases (CO₂).
• It is transparent, which makes it possible to maintain the appearance of the surface to which it is applied.
• It can be applied to surfaces such as walls and fabrics and is activated by the action of sunlight.
• The developed coating is low cost.

The researchers have validated that the developed coating has photocatalytic and adsorption capacity, and they are currently carrying out tests to assess its effectiveness in degrading pollutants in environments. Additionally, the CO₂ adsorption capacity is also being tested in order to determine the duration of the coating’s life cycle.

The aim is to contact companies in the paints and functional coatings sector that are interested in the project, in order to obtain feedback on its development and guide the next steps according to actual market needs. In addition, the possibility of implementing the developed solutions through pilots or commercial demonstrators is being considered, with the ultimate aim of promoting their adoption, improving competitiveness and opening up new business opportunities.

Institution: AIMPLAS – Instituto Tecnológico del Plástico

TRL: 5-6

Funding: Project funded by IVACE (Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad e Innovación) with European funds

Contact: Nuria Bas / nuria@viromii.com