Improved\nCapture and Removal Efficiency of Gaseous\nAcetaldehyde by a Self-Powered Photocatalytic System with an External\nElectric Field

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