Review of noble metal catalysts for the oxidation of formaldehyde and air purification in indoor environment at room temperature

With increasing concern on indoor air pollution,many researchers apply themselves to developing the efficient,safe and economic materials and/or techniques for the indoor air purification.In this review,we introduced our recent study on the catalytic oxidation of indoor HCHO.The catalytic activities for the complete oxidation of HCHO over noble metal catalysts with oxygen at room temperature were evaluated.A mechanism for the catalytic oxidation of HCHO over noble metal catalysts was proposed to explain the high activity of Pt/TiO2 at room temperature.The preparation processes of monolith catalyst and catalytic converter for HCHO purification were developed,and the new type air purifiers were designed and manufactured,which can be used in room and ventilating pipe.The air purifiers have been commercialized,and were employed in air purification for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.This work contributed to the Green Olympics,High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics,and it will also benefit many people in the future.