What Is Selfeel?
Selfeel is an air catalyst that decomposes harmful substances by spraying them into the air, thereby performing deodorizing and antibacterial functions.
Nichirin Chemical Co., Ltd. started manufacturing and marketing SELFEEL in 2002. In other words, Selfeel is the trade name of Nichirin Chemical Co.
It uses only water and oxygen in the air to produce various effects. Other known catalysts include photocatalysts, but photocatalysts need light to work.
Selfeel, an air catalyst, is unique in that it can work in the absence of light, as long as there is water and oxygen in the air.
Uses of Selfeel
Selfeel is used in newly built or remodeled rooms to prevent sick building syndrome, a problem caused by volatile formaldehyde and voc contained in various building materials.
Apart from newly built or remodeled buildings, selfeel is also used in hospitals, schools, commercial stores, public facilities where many people gather, and in public transportation vehicles such as trains and railroads.
Selfeel Principle
Selfeel is a catalyst. First of all, a catalyst is a substance that promotes a particular chemical reaction while remaining unchanged itself. Even if a chemical reaction is unlikely to occur in an environment without a catalyst, the addition of a catalyst will promote the scientific reaction.
In this process, the catalyst itself is not changed. Since selfeel is an air catalyst, it uses only air for its catalytic effect. Among the air involved are water and oxygen. Specifically, potassium 40, a component in selfeel, acts on water molecules in the air to produce hydroxyl radicals (∙OH) and hydrogen peroxide.
The generated hydrogen peroxide generates hydroxyl radicals through the action of iron, titanium, and other elements in selfeel in what is called the Felton reaction. Hydroperoxyl radicals
(OOH) produced from hydrogen peroxide and superoxide ions (O2-) are also produced from oxygen in the air.
Thus, selfeel generates hydroxyl radicals from water in the air and superoxide ions from oxygen in the air. The hydroxyl radicals are then responsible for the various effects of selfeel. The action of superoxide ions generated from oxygen is a decomposition reaction in the air. This decomposition reaction kills bacteria and prevents the growth of mold.
Other Information About Selfeel
1. What Is a Radical?
Radicals are atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons. Radicals are not stable like normal atoms and electrons, and can produce a variety of reactions. Selfeel acts as a catalyst to promote chemical reactions because radicals are active ones.
After the reaction, the radicals are decomposed again into water and oxygen, which are returned to the air. In other words, water and oxygen in the air can be circulated and utilized.
2. Effect of Selfeel
Selfeel is effective in preventing sick building syndrome, which is a problem in newly constructed houses. In addition, selfeel has stain resistance, antibacterial and antifungal effects, deodorizing effects against toilet and cigarette odors, antiviral effects, and negative ion effects on interior walls.
3. Difference Between Selfeel and Photocatalyst
The only other material besides selfeel that prevents sick building syndrome is photocatalyst. Photocatalysts require sufficient light, specifically ultraviolet light, to work, and in environments where ultraviolet light is available, they are more effective than SELFEEL.
Selfeel is characterized by its ability to be effective even in low-light environments. Other advantages of selfeel are that it does not discolor or change the texture of walls, is colorless and transparent, does not require curing, is easy to work with, and is low cost.
In particular, selfeel itself is harmless to the human body. Because of its high safety, selfeel is also used in schools, hospitals, and public facilities, and can be used safely by frail people and children.