Photocatalytic Degradation of VOCs Using Ga2O3-Coated Mesh for Practical Applications

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major contributors to air pollution, posing significant environmental and health risks. Here we report gallium oxide (Ga2O3)-coated mesh as a practical immobilized photocatalyst for VOC degradation under UVC irradiation. A 3 wt.% Ga2O3 suspension was spray-coated onto the stainless-steel mesh, yielding a uniform coating with strong adhesion properties, as confirmed by cross-sectional analysis. Under identical conditions to a Ga2O3 powder, the Ga2O3-coated mesh delivered comparable VOC degradation rates and first-order kinetics while offering superior mechanical stability and ease of handling. Over five consecutive cycles, 93–95% of the VOC degradation efficiency was retained with negligible loss of activity, confirming excellent reusability. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of the Ga2O3-coated mesh after degradation reaction revealed significantly reduced VOC peaks, such as C=O and C-O absorption peaks, whereas spectra for the uncoated mesh changed only slightly. These results indicate that VOC degradation originates from the coated photocatalyst. Overall, these findings demonstrate that Ga2O3-coated mesh is a highly efficient, stable, and reusable platform for VOC removal, suggesting its potential for practical applications in air purification and environmental remediation.