Addition of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) (nano)particles into photocatalytic paints represents a promising alternative aiming to mineralize gaseous pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into innocuous species (H₂O and CO₂). Despite important industrial and economic benefits, some concerns were raised regarding the risks associated with nano-objects and their human and environmental impacts. To mitigate potential risks associated with the use of these nano-objects, we report a safer by design strategy to develop a photocatalytic paint containing TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) taking into consideration the safety aspects over its life cycle. Specific innovative types of TiO₂ NPs were synthesized. These nanoparticles were then incorporated into an organic matrix-based paint. These paints were applied on standard substrates and underwent artificial weathering in an accelerated weathering chamber with controlled parameters. Photocatalytic efficiency towards airborne VOCs was measured for all the paints. Mechanical solicitation through abrasion and incineration tests were performed to assess the potential emission of airborne particles that could lead to human or environmental exposure. In parallel, toxicology studies were conducted to assess the hazards associated with the pristine particles and paint residues. Using this safer by design strategy, we succeeded in decreasing the negative impact of TiO₂ on the paint matrix while keeping a good photocatalytic efficiency and reducing the NP release. Taken together, these results show that we succeeded in generating safer by design paints, thanks to the use of these specifically developed TiO₂ NPs, which exhibit similar photocatalytic properties and enhanced physical properties as compared to paints containing the reference TiO₂ NPs, while reducing their potential hazards.

中文翻译：

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通过设计开发更安全的TiO2基光催化涂料：影响和性能

将二氧化钛（TiO ₂）（纳米）颗粒添加到光催化涂料中是一种有前途的替代方法，旨在将气态污染物，例如挥发性有机化合物（VOC）矿化成无害物种（H ₂ O和CO ₂）。尽管具有重要的工业和经济利益，但人们仍对与纳米物体相关的风险及其对人类和环境的影响提出了一些担忧。为了减轻与使用这些纳米物体相关的潜在风险，我们报告了一种设计更安全的策略，即考虑到其生命周期中的安全性，开发一种包含TiO ₂纳米粒子（NP）的光催化涂料。特定创新类型的TiO ₂NP被合成。然后将这些纳米颗粒掺入有机基质基涂料中。将这些涂料涂在标准基材上，并在具有受控参数的加速风化室中进行人工风化。测量了所有涂料对空气中挥发性有机化合物的光催化效率。通过磨蚀和焚化试验进行机械招标，以评估可能导致人体或环境暴露的空气中颗粒物的潜在排放。同时，进行了毒理学研究，以评估与原始颗粒和油漆残留有关的危害。使用这种更安全的设计策略，我们成功减少了TiO ₂的负面影响保持良好的光催化效率并减少NP释放的同时，可在涂料基质上使用。综上所述，这些结果表明，由于使用了这些专门开发的TiO ₂ NP，我们成功地设计出了安全的涂料，与含参考TiO ₂ NP的涂料相比，它们显示出相似的光催化性能和增强的物理性能，同时降低了它们的潜在危害。