Efficiency and durability of a bioactive coating in formaldehyde degradation

After the energy crisis of the 90's, new energy conservation measures were adopted in peoples's lifestyles at home and work places. Energy-efficient housing rapidly brought new building materials, interior decoration and consumer products, such as composite wood, foams and plastics, synthetic carpets and households products. These changes have increased the diversity and concentration of pollutants in the indoor air [1], mainly the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) [2]. Formaldehyde is an oxygenated-VOCs, widely used in construction materials, wood processing, furniture, textiles, carpeting, and chemical industries. It is classified as a human carcinogen and it has been given more attention in particular of its adverse effect in health [3], and so, its removal is of widespread interest. The development of bioactive coatings incorporating biomolecules able to capture and degrade this toxic compound is of major interest. It is herein presented the study of the efficiency of hydrophilic sol-gel coatings, easily prepared at low-temperature, incorporating PEG in the formulation to retain a large content of water, and so, improve cells viability and maintain enzymes activities [4]. The conservation of enzymes stability throughout time is of great importance for industrial application of the bioactive coatings.