Binuclear metallophthalocyanine supported on treated silk fibres as a novel air-purifying material

Two kinds of water-soluble metallophthalocyanines, binuclear phthalocyaninecobalt(II) (Co2Pc2) and binuclear phthalocyanineiron(III) (Fe2Pc2), have been investigated as catalysts for the oxidation of 2-mercaptoethanol (MEA). In aqueous solution, Co2Pc2 exhibited higher catalytic activity than Fe2Pc2 at pH 11 and 25 °C. Furthermore, synergistic effect had been found when two catalysts were mixed at molar ratio of 1:1, which was deeply discussed. To make best use of such perfect catalytic oxidation performance, a new supporting method was introduced to prepare the novel air-purifying material, binuclear metallophthalocyanine fibres (Mt2Pc2F). Mt2Pc2F could be used to eliminate efficiently the malodors of methanthiol and hydrogen sulfide by catalytic oxidation reaction.