ISO 17168-3-2018 PDF

Full title and description

Fine ceramics (advanced ceramics, advanced technical ceramics) — Test method for air‑purification performance of semiconducting photocatalytic materials under indoor lighting environment — Part 3: Removal of toluene.

Abstract

This part of ISO 17168 specifies a laboratory test method to determine the air‑purification performance of materials that contain or are coated with semiconducting photocatalysts (for example titanium dioxide), with respect to the removal of toluene under continuous exposure and illumination intended to simulate indoor lighting conditions. The method is intended for sheet, board, plate, honeycomb and composite materials and excludes powder or granular photocatalytic materials; it is focussed on toluene removal and is not intended for measuring other photocatalytic properties such as water‑phase contaminant decomposition, self‑cleaning, antifogging or antibacterial effects.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (superseded).
• Publication date: 19 September 2018.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 81.060.30 (Fine ceramics).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 12 pages (original 2018 publication).

Scope

This standard defines a controlled test chamber procedure and measurement approach to evaluate how effectively a photocatalytic material removes toluene from air under specified indoor light illumination and air exchange conditions. It applies to solid forms used in construction and interior applications (flat sheet/board/plate, honeycomb structures, and composites containing ceramic microcrystals) and excludes powders and granular forms. The method is intended for performance comparison and quality assessment of materials produced for air‑purification applications, not for evaluating unrelated functional properties (e.g., antibacterial action).

Key topics and requirements

• Defined test chamber conditions (air flow, pollutant concentration, temperature and humidity) and standardized illumination to simulate indoor lighting for photocatalytic activation.
• Preparation and conditioning of test specimens (dimensions, mounting, pre‑conditioning/light exposure).
• Introduction of toluene as the model gaseous pollutant and measurement of its concentration decay over time to calculate removal efficiency.
• Exclusions and applicability notes: not for powders/granules; not a test for other photocatalytic functions (e.g., water treatment, self‑cleaning).
• Reporting requirements for experimental conditions, instrument calibration, data processing and uncertainty considerations to enable reproducible comparisons between materials.

Typical use and users

Used by materials manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, product certifiers and R&D groups to quantify and compare the indoor toluene removal performance of photocatalytic ceramic and ceramic‑containing materials. Also referenced by specifiers and product selection teams evaluating interior finishes or air‑purification building products. Researchers studying photocatalytic air purification employ the method for comparative lab evaluations.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 17168 series on test methods for photocatalytic materials under indoor lighting. Other parts in the series cover removal of different model pollutants (for example Part 1: removal of nitric oxide; Part 2: removal of acetaldehyde). The original 2018 parts have been revised and republished in 2025 as updated editions of the series.

Keywords

photocatalytic, fine ceramics, titanium dioxide, toluene removal, air purification, indoor lighting, test method, ISO 17168, air‑cleaning materials, VOC removal.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17168‑3:2018 is Part 3 of the ISO 17168 series that specifies a laboratory test method for measuring the toluene removal (air‑purification) performance of semiconducting photocatalytic materials under simulated indoor lighting conditions.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, chamber and illumination conditions, introduction of toluene as a model pollutant, measurement procedures and reporting so that removal efficiency can be determined and compared. It applies to solid materials and excludes powders or granules, and it is not intended to measure other photocatalytic functions such as antibacterial or water‑phase degradation.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Materials manufacturers, independent test laboratories, certification bodies, product specifiers and researchers evaluating photocatalytic air‑purifying materials for indoor applications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 edition of ISO 17168‑3 has been withdrawn and superseded by a revised edition published in 2025 (ISO 17168‑3:2025). Users should refer to the 2025 edition for the current, authoritative test method.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 17168 is a multipart series from ISO/TC 206 (Fine ceramics). Parts cover test methods for removal of different model pollutants (examples: Part 1 — nitric oxide; Part 2 — acetaldehyde; Part 3 — toluene). The series was updated with new editions published in 2025.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Photocatalytic, fine ceramics, indoor air purification, VOC removal, toluene, test method, ISO 17168.