Air purification by gold catalysts supported on PET nonwoven fabric

A new filter-type Au/ZrO2 catalyst was fabricated by using poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nonwoven fabric as a support. Owing to its flexibility, thinness, lightness, and easy handling, this form of a catalyst is advantageous in practical use for air purification over the existing catalyst forms such as pellets and honeycombs. Zirconium oxide fine particles were first deposited on PET nonwoven fabric in the presence of 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane to form thin layer like a fish scale and then gold nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on ZrO2 fine particles by deposition–precipitation method. The catalyst was active enough at room temperature and oxidized 1000 ppm CO and removed 140 ppm HCHO in air. The catalytic activity of Au/ZrO2 supported on PET nonwoven fabric was also measured under similar conditions to those for practical air purification in offices and houses for the oxidation of 0.5 ppm HCHO and high HCHO conversion (close to 100%) was maintained up to 136 h.

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► A shape flexible gold catalyst has been developed by using PET nonwoven fabrics.
► The whole surfaces of PET fibers were homogeneously coated with the fine Au/ZrO2 particles.
► The catalyst was active enough at room temperature for the oxidation of CO and HCHO in air.
► High catalytic activity for the removal of 0.5 ppm HCHO could be maintained longer than 136 h.