Improved Capture and Removal Efficiency of Gaseous Acetaldehyde by a Self-Powered Photocatalytic System with an External Electric Field

Using clean and sustainable stochastic energy from the environment to eliminate pollution caused by gaseous aldehydes would be an effective strategy to achieve the sustainable development of energy and preserve the environment. Here, a piston-based triboelectric nanogenerator (P-TENG) was used to enhance gaseous acetaldehyde absorption and photocatalytic degradation. An external electric field could be generated on a conductive substrate by the P-TENG, converting wind energy into electricity. This made it possible to efficiently degrade gaseous acetaldehyde in the photocatalytic system. Driven by a light breeze (3.0 m/s), the acetaldehyde removal rate of the system reached 63% within 30 min. The presence of an external electric field could generate more hydroxyl radicals (•OH), superoxide radicals (•O2–), and holes (h+), which has a positive effect on the photocatalytic degradation of acetaldehyde. The design and concept of this study not only realized the efficient conversion of renewable and sustainable random energy but also could be applied to the efficient removal of gaseous aldehydes, providing an effective way to create a cleaner environment.