Self-powered and self-purifying building envelopes: Progress, challenges, and future perspectives

Yu Qian; Ji Jie; Suyue Xu; Yifei Gao; Ziheng Li; Hengmin Jia; Yan Mu

doi:10.65582/gti.2026.005

Authors

Yu Qian Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Ji Jie Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Suyue Xu Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Yifei Gao Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Ziheng Li Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Hengmin Jia Department of Infection Control, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Yan Mu Department of Infection Control, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65582/gti.2026.005

Keywords:

solar energy, Multi-functional energy utilization, Air purification, Bioaerosol, Thermal disinfection, BIPVT

Abstract

Self-powered and self-purifying building envelopes enable the simultaneous utilization of renewable energy and indoor air purification without external energy input, offering dual benefits in reducing building energy consumption and improving indoor air quality. This concept aligns well with the post-pandemic demand for integrated strategies addressing both building energy efficiency and bioaerosol control. In recent years, preliminary progress has been made in terms of technical pathway exploration and system feasibility demonstration. However, existing studies remain largely fragmented, and a comprehensive and systematic review of the research landscape and key scientific challenges is still lacking. This paper presents a systematic review of recent advances in self-powered and self-purifying building envelopes, with a particular focus on three aspects: microbial inactivation mechanisms, system modeling approaches, and system optimization strategies. Based on the reviewed literature, future research directions are further summarized and discussed, including the development of bacterial and viral multi-parameter inactivation models under coupled environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet irradiation), the advancement of multi-level modeling and solution frameworks to balance computational efficiency and physical fidelity, and the systematic evaluation of system applicability across different climate zones and building types to elucidate the synergistic mechanisms between system configuration and operational optimization. This review aims to provide a unified research framework and reference for mechanism studies, model development, and system design of self-powered and self-purifying building envelopes, thereby supporting their further technological development and practical implementation.

References

Ashrae. Ansi/Ashrae Standard 62.2-2022: Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Residential Buildings. ASHRAE, 2022.

European Commission. EN 16798-1: Energy Performance of Buildings—Ventilation for Buildings. CEN, 2019.

World Health Organization. WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines. WHO Press, 2021.

Abdeen, A., Serageldin, A. A., Ibrahim, M. G. E., El-Zafarany, A., Ookawara, S. & Murata, R. 2019. Experimental, analytical, and numerical investigation into the feasibility of integrating a passive Trombe wall into a single room. Applied Thermal Engineering, 154, 751-768. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.03.090. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.03.090

Asaee, S. R., Nikoofard, S., Ugursal, V. I. & Beausoleil-Morrison, I. 2017. Techno-economic assessment of photovoltaic (PV) and building integrated photovoltaic/thermal (BIPV/T) system retrofits in the Canadian housing stock. Energy and Buildings, 152, 667-679. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.06.071. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.06.071

Che, L., Li, N., Fan, M., Zhang, G., Zhang, G. & Yu, B. 2024. A novel catalytic/sterilization PV-Trombe wall system: Analysis on PV electrical and air purification performance in winter. Building and Environment, 255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111423

Chow, T. T. 2018. A review on photovoltaic/thermal hybrid solar technology. Renewable Energy, Vol4_88-Vol4_119. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.06.037. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315793245-122

El-Shobokshy, M. 1983. Experimental measurements of aerosol deposition to smooth and rough surfaces. Atmospheric Environment (1967), 17, 639-644. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(83)90138-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(83)90138-5

Friedlander, S. & Johnstone, H. 1957. Deposition of suspended particles from turbulent gas streams. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry, 49, 1151-1156. DOI: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ie50571a039. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ie50571a039

Gan, G. & Riffat, S. 1999. Determination of energy loss characteristics of dampers. International journal of energy research, 23, 61-69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-114X(199901)23:1<61::AID-ER461>3.0.CO;2-S. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-114X(199901)23:1<61::AID-ER461>3.3.CO;2-J

Guha, A. 2008. Transport and Deposition of Particles in Turbulent and Laminar Flow. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 40, 311-341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.fluid.40.111406.102220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.fluid.40.111406.102220

Herrando, M., Markides, C. N. & Hellgardt, K. 2014. A UK-based assessment of hybrid PV and solar-thermal systems for domestic heating and power: System performance. Applied Energy, 122, 288-309. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.01.061. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.01.061

Jung, J. H., Lee, J. E. & Kim, S. S. 2009. Thermal effects on bacterial bioaerosols in continuous air flow. Sci Total Environ, 407, 4723-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.05.008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.05.008

Ke, W., Ji, J., Xu, L., Xie, H., Wang, C. & Yu, B. 2021a. Annual performance analysis of a dual-air-channel solar wall system with phase change material in different climate regions of China. Energy, 235. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121359. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121359

Ke, W., Ji, J., Xu, L., Yu, B., Tian, X. & Wang, J. 2021b. Numerical study and experimental validation of a multi-functional dual-air-channel solar wall system with PCM. Energy, 227. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.120434. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.120434

Li, A. & Ahmadi, G. 1993. Deposition of aerosols on surfaces in a turbulent channel flow. International Journal of Engineering Science, 31, 435-451. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7225(93)90017-O. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7225(93)90017-O

Liu, B. Y. & Agarwal, J. K. 1974. Experimental observation of aerosol deposition in turbulent flow. Journal of Aerosol Science, 5, 145-155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-8502(74)90046-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-8502(74)90046-9

Liu, H., Liu, Z., He, J., Hu, C., Rong, R., Han, H., Wang, L. & Wang, D. 2023a. Reducing airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by an upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system in a hospital isolation environment. Environ Res, 237, 116952. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116952. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116952

Liu, X., Qin, Z., Wang, L., Xie, X., Fu, Y., Yu, J., Liang, Z., He, X., Li, J. & Dai, H. 2023b. A simple and effective aerosol pathogen disinfection test for a flowing air disinfector. Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity, 5, 32-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobb.2023.02.001. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobb.2023.02.001

Liu, Y., Ning, Z., Chen, Y., Guo, M., Liu, Y., Gali, N. K., Sun, L., Duan, Y., Cai, J. & Westerdahl, D. 2020. Aerodynamic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in two Wuhan hospitals. Nature, 582, 557-560. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2271-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2271-3

Lu, H. & Lu, L. 2015. Numerical investigation on particle deposition enhancement in duct air flow by ribbed wall. Building and Environment, 85, 61-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.11.031. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.11.031

Meng, H., Ji, J., Xie, H., Jia, H., Qian, Y., Li, J. & Mu, Y. 2025. Experimental study on the purification performance of sterilization-Trombe walls with and without fins in the heating season. Building and Environment, 277, 112948. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.112948. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.112948

Msemburi, W., Karlinsky, A., Knutson, V., Aleshin-Guendel, S., Chatterji, S. & Wakefield, J. 2023. The WHO estimates of excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Nature, 613, 130-137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05522-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05522-2

Mullican, C. L., Buchanan, L. M. & Hoffman, R. K. 1971. Thermal inactivation of aerosolized Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores. Applied Microbiology, 22, 557-559. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/am.22.4.557-559.1971. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/am.22.4.557-559.1971

Pan, Y., Guo, K., Lin, C.-H., Wei, D., Ho, K.-F. & Chen, C. 2023. Developing a survival probability-based Lagrangian model for predicting ultraviolet disinfection of bioaerosols in enclosed environments. Building and Environment, 244. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110765. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110765

Phaiboun, A., Zhang, Y., Park, B. & Kim, M. 2015. Survival kinetics of starving bacteria is biphasic and density-dependent. PLoS computational biology, 11, e1004198. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004198. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004198

Qian, Y., Ji, J., Xie, H., Jia, H., Meng, H., Li, J. & Mu, Y. 2024a. Performance comparison of multi-functional photovoltaic-Trombe wall with and without fins and their impacts on the removal of indoor infectious bioaerosols. Solar Energy, 282, 112854. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2024.112854. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2024.112854

Qian, Y., Ji, J., Xie, H., Jia, H., Meng, H., Li, J. & Mu, Y. 2024b. Performance investigation of multi-functional series-connected building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal system and analysis of its multi-objective optimization design strategy. Building and Environment, 112126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.112126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.112126

Qian, Y., Ji, J., Xie, H., Jia, H., Meng, H., Li, J. & Mu, Y. 2025a. Bi-level rolling optimal control method for air-purifying building-integrated photovoltaic thermal systems integrated with virtual energy storage. Energy Conversion and Management, 345. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120369. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120369

Qian, Y., Ji, J., Xie, H., Jia, H., Meng, H., Li, J. & Mu, Y. 2025b. Research on dynamic operation strategy of heating, power generation, and air purification-type BIPVT system combined with machine learning. Energy, 334. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2025.137620. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2025.137620

Qian, Y., Ji, J., Xie, H., Jia, H., Tang, Y. & Mu, Y. 2024c. Performance prediction of a novel disinfection-enhanced type Trombe wall with transverse fins. Energy, 302, 131744. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.131744. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.131744

Reeks, M. 1977. On the dispersion of small particles suspended in an isotropic turbulent fluid. Journal of fluid mechanics, 83, 529-546. DOI: doi.org/10.1017/S0022112077001323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112077001323

Smolec, W. & Thomas, A. 1993. Theoretical and experimental investigations of heat transfer in a Trombe wall. Energy Conversion and Management, 34, 385-400. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0196-8904(93)90089-S. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0196-8904(93)90089-S

Song, L., Zhou, J., Wang, C., Meng, G., Li, Y., Jarin, M., Wu, Z. & Xie, X. 2022. Airborne pathogenic microorganisms and air cleaning technology development: A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 424, 127429. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127429. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127429

Sun, W., Ji, J., Luo, C. & He, W. 2011. Performance of PV-Trombe wall in winter correlated with south façade design. Applied energy, 88, 224-231. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.06.002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.06.002

Tian, L. & Ahmadi, G. 2007. Particle deposition in turbulent duct flows—comparisons of different model predictions. Journal of Aerosol Science, 38, 377-397. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2006.12.003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2006.12.003

Torres, Y. D., Herrera, H. H., Plasencia, M. A. A. G., Novo, E. P., Cabrera, L. P., Haeseldonckx, D. & Silva-Ortega, J. I. 2020. Heating ventilation and air-conditioned configurations for hotelsan approach review for the design and exploitation. Energy Reports, 6, 487-497. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2020.09.026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2020.09.026

Van Boekel, M. A. 2002. On the use of the Weibull model to describe thermal inactivation of microbial vegetative cells. International journal of food microbiology, 74, 139-159. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1605(01)00742-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1605(01)00742-5

Vlaskin, M. S. 2022. Review of air disinfection approaches and proposal for thermal inactivation of airborne viruses as a life-style and an instrument to fight pandemics. Applied Thermal Engineering, 202, 117855. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117855. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117855

Wang, C., Zhang, Z. W. & Liu, H. 2019. Microwave-induced release and degradation of airborne endotoxins from Escherichia coli bioaerosol. J Hazard Mater, 366, 27-33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.11.088. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.11.088

Wu, S.-Y., Yan, R.-R. & Xiao, L. 2022. Numerically predicting the effect of fin on solar Trombe wall performance. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 52. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2022.102012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2022.102012

Xie, H., Jia, H., Ji, J., Qian, Y., Meng, H., Li, J. & Mu, Y. 2024a. Development and experimental validation of a thermal inactivation model for airborne bacteria and its application in Trombe wall systems. Building and Environment, 268, 112341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.112341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.112341

Xie, H., Jia, H., Ji, J., Qian, Y., Meng, H., Li, J. & Mu, Y. 2024b. Performance analysis of a novel air filtration and sterilization PV-Trombe wall. Building and Environment, 265, 111953. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111953. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111953

Xie, H., Yu, B., Wang, J. & Ji, J. 2021. A novel disinfected Trombe wall for space heating and virus inactivation: Concept and performance investigation. Applied Energy, 291, 116789. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116789. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116789

Xiong, R., Xie, G., Edmondson, A. & Sheard, M. 1999. A mathematical model for bacterial inactivation. International journal of food microbiology, 46, 45-55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1605(98)00172-X. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1605(98)00172-X

Yu, B., Li, N., Yan, C., Liu, X., Liu, H., Ji, J. & Xu, X. 2022. The comprehensive performance analysis on a novel high-performance air-purification-sterilization type PV-Trombe wall. Renewable Energy, 182, 1201-1218. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.11.029. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.11.029

Yu, H., Tam, V. W. Y. & Xu, X. 2024. A systematic review of reinforcement learning application in building energy-related occupant behavior simulation. Energy and Buildings, 312, 14189. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114189. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114189

Zhao, B. & Chen, J. 2006. Numerical analysis of particle deposition in ventilation duct. Building and Environment, 41, 710-718. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.02.030. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.02.030

Zhao, D., Ji, J., Yu, H., Wei, W. & Zheng, H. 2017. Numerical and experimental study of a combined solar Chinese kang and solar air heating system based on Qinghai demonstration building. Energy and Buildings, 143, 61-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.03.023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.03.023