NYCU develops humidity-resistant ozone decomposition catalyst suitable for Taiwan's climate
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University's Professor Yu Kuo-Pin's team has developed a humidity-resistant ozone decomposition catalyst, particularly suitable for Taiwan's humid climate. This technology is expected to be applied in air purifiers and air conditioning filter systems, contributing to solving indoor ozone concentration problems.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 20:18
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 20:32 (13 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chih-Chung, Taipei, 22nd) Long-term exposure to ozone increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Professor Yu Kuo-Pin's team has developed a humidity-resistant ozone decomposition catalyst, particularly suitable for Taiwan's humid climate, which is expected to be used in air purifiers and air conditioning filter systems.
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University today issued a press release introducing the latest research achievements of Professor Yu Kuo-Pin's team from the Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant formed by chemical reactions of exhaust gases under sunlight. In spring, as daylight hours lengthen and UV rays gradually strengthen, photochemical reactions are favorable for ozone formation. In indoor spaces such as offices and classrooms in Taiwan, ozone often exceeds standards.
Among many ozone decomposition technologies, catalytic reaction is the most effective method. However, water vapor is often the nemesis of catalysts, easily attaching to reaction sites and significantly reducing catalytic efficiency. Taiwan's climate is humid and rainy, making it particularly susceptible to this effect.
Professor Yu Kuo-Pin's team utilized the Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) technology developed by the 2025 Nobel Chemistry Prize laureate, developing a "MOF-on-MOF" technology that combines two different MOFs like building blocks, and then wraps them with a carbon outer layer.
Experiments have confirmed that this material structure allows electrons to move flexibly within the material while preventing water vapor from occupying active sites, achieving the humidity-resistant effect of the catalyst. At normal room temperature and 50% humidity, the ozone removal rate can reach 99%; even in environments with humidity as high as 75%, the efficiency can still be maintained at 92%.
"It's like wearing a waterproof jacket, the inside is not easily affected by moisture," said Professor Yu Kuo-Pin. This carbon outer layer not only prevents water vapor from interfering with the catalytic reaction but also provides electrical conductivity, promoting the activation of oxygen molecules. Therefore, even in humid and hot Taiwan, the catalyst can stably decompose ozone.
Professor Yu Kuo-Pin stated that this technology is expected to be applied in air purifiers, medical institutions, schools, public transportation systems, and even integrated into building air conditioning filter systems. (Edited by Lung Po-An) 1150422
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(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chih-Chung, Taipei, 22nd) Long-term exposure to ozone increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Professor Yu Kuo-Pin's team has developed a humidity-resistant ozone decomposition catalyst, particularly suitable for Taiwan's humid climate, which is expected to be used in air purifiers and air conditioning filter systems.
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University today issued a press release introducing the latest research achievements of Professor Yu Kuo-Pin's team from the Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant formed by chemical reactions of exhaust gases under sunlight. In spring, as daylight hours lengthen and UV rays gradually strengthen, photochemical reactions are favorable for ozone formation. In indoor spaces such as offices and classrooms in Taiwan, ozone often exceeds standards.
Among many ozone decomposition technologies, catalytic reaction is the most effective method. However, water vapor is often the nemesis of catalysts, easily attaching to reaction sites and significantly reducing catalytic efficiency. Taiwan's climate is humid and rainy, making it particularly susceptible to this effect.
Professor Yu Kuo-Pin's team utilized the Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) technology developed by the 2025 Nobel Chemistry Prize laureate, developing a "MOF-on-MOF" technology that combines two different MOFs like building blocks, and then wraps them with a carbon outer layer.
Experiments have confirmed that this material structure allows electrons to move flexibly within the material while preventing water vapor from occupying active sites, achieving the humidity-resistant effect of the catalyst. At normal room temperature and 50% humidity, the ozone removal rate can reach 99%; even in environments with humidity as high as 75%, the efficiency can still be maintained at 92%.
"It's like wearing a waterproof jacket, the inside is not easily affected by moisture," said Professor Yu Kuo-Pin. This carbon outer layer not only prevents water vapor from interfering with the catalytic reaction but also provides electrical conductivity, promoting the activation of oxygen molecules. Therefore, even in humid and hot Taiwan, the catalyst can stably decompose ozone.
Professor Yu Kuo-Pin stated that this technology is expected to be applied in air purifiers, medical institutions, schools, public transportation systems, and even integrated into building air conditioning filter systems. (Edited by Lung Po-An) 1150422
Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.