ISO 10678-2024 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10678:2024 — Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) — Determination of photocatalytic activity of surfaces in an aqueous medium by degradation of methylene blue. This international standard specifies a laboratory method to characterise the photocatalytic activity of coated or uncoated surfaces by monitoring the decolouration/degradation of methylene blue (MB) in contact with the test surface under controlled artificial ultraviolet irradiation.

Abstract

This document defines procedures to determine the photocatalytic activity of surfaces in an aqueous medium by degradation (photobleaching) of methylene blue under artificial UV irradiation. It characterises photocatalytically active surfaces with respect to their ability to degrade dissolved organic molecules when exposed to ultraviolet radiation; it does not apply to characterisation under visible-light illumination. The method includes provisions for dark controls (to separate adsorption from photocatalysis), measurement modes (discrete sampling or continuous monitoring), and calculation of degradation rates and photonic efficiency.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: 24 October 2024 (Edition 2, 2024-10).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 81.060.30 — Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2024).
• Number of pages: 14.

Key bibliographic items above are taken from the ISO record for ISO 10678:2024 and catalogue entries for the 2024 revision.

Scope

This standard specifies a laboratory test method for determining the photocatalytic activity of surfaces by monitoring the degradation of methylene blue in an aqueous solution that is in contact with the test surface. The method is intended for surfaces and surface coatings (including ceramic and advanced-ceramic based systems) tested under artificial UV irradiation (wavelength region typically used for UVA tests). It is not intended for measuring photocatalytic activity under visible-light conditions nor for directly measuring removal of gaseous pollutants or antimicrobial efficacy, though correlations with those performance aspects may exist for some materials.

Key topics and requirements

• Test principle: degradation (photobleaching) of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution in contact with the test surface; monitoring of MB concentration change by UV/Vis spectroscopy.
• Irradiation conditions: controlled artificial UV radiation (photolytic non-active range as specified in the standard, typical UVA region used in the method).
• Measurement modes: discrete sampling at regular intervals (method A) or continuous monitoring (method B).
• Controls: requirement for dark control or shaded specimen to separate adsorption effects from photocatalytic degradation.
• Performance metrics: calculation of apparent degradation rate, specific degradation rate and photonic efficiency (photonic yield) for the test surface.
• Applicability limits: explicitly excludes characterisation under visible light; notes that correlation to self‑cleaning, gas‑phase degradation or antimicrobial activity is possible but not covered by the method.

These technical elements and requirements follow the procedures and definitions provided in the ISO 10678:2024 text.

Typical use and users

Users: materials scientists, ceramic and coatings manufacturers, quality laboratories, R&D groups developing photocatalytic surfaces, testing laboratories, regulators and certification bodies assessing photocatalytic performance claims. Typical use cases: routine performance testing of photocatalytic surface coatings (e.g., TiO2‑based coatings), verification of production batches, comparison of formulations or surface treatments, research studies correlating surface structure to photocatalytic activity, and development of test data to support product claims for self‑cleaning or water‑treatment applications.

Related standards

ISO 10678:2024 revises and replaces ISO 10678:2010 (withdrawn). Other related standards and test methods in the photocatalysis / materials area include various ISO and national methods for photocatalytic gas‑phase testing, antimicrobial testing, and related fine‑ceramics characterization standards developed under ISO/TC 206. Users should consult the ISO catalogue and national bodies for complementary test methods when assessing gas‑phase activity, visible‑light activity or antimicrobial properties.

Keywords

photocatalytic activity, methylene blue, MB degradation, fine ceramics, advanced ceramics, surface coatings, photonic efficiency, photobleaching, UVA irradiation, surface characterisation, ISO/TC 206.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10678:2024 is an international standard that specifies a laboratory method to determine the photocatalytic activity of surfaces by measuring the degradation of methylene blue in an aqueous medium under controlled UV irradiation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample preparation and handling, irradiation conditions, measurement approaches (discrete sampling or continuous monitoring), use of dark controls, calculation of degradation rates and photonic efficiency, and limits of applicability (not for visible‑light characterisation). It is focused on degradation of dissolved organic molecules modelled by methylene blue.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials and coatings manufacturers, independent test laboratories, R&D teams in academia and industry, and certification/quality assurance organisations that need reproducible, comparable measurements of surface photocatalytic activity.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10678:2024 is the current published edition (Edition 2, published 24 October 2024). It supersedes and replaces ISO 10678:2010, which has been withdrawn.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the suite of standards and technical work under ISO/TC 206 (fine ceramics — advanced ceramics) and is related to other test methods for photocatalytic performance and ceramic material characterisation, but it is a standalone test method specific to MB degradation in aqueous media.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: photonic efficiency, methylene blue, photocatalytic activity, fine ceramics, UV irradiation, photobleaching, surface coatings.