Development of carbon monoxide catalysts for indoor air purification

With the acceleration of urbanization and the increase of indoor pollution sources, indoor air quality problems are becoming more and more serious. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless toxic gas, mainly from gas combustion, tobacco smoke and so on. Long-term exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, and even be life-threatening. Therefore, the development of efficient indoor air purification technology, especially for carbon monoxide purification methods, is of great significance.
Carbon monoxide catalyst is one of the core technologies for indoor air purification. It can catalyze the oxidation of carbon monoxide to non-toxic carbon dioxide (CO₂) at room temperature or low temperature, thereby effectively purifying the air. To develop carbon monoxide catalysts suitable for indoor air purification, several key issues need to be addressed:
Low temperature and high efficiency catalysis: The indoor ambient temperature is low, so the catalyst needs to work efficiently at room temperature or slightly above room temperature. The low temperature activity of the catalyst can be improved by optimizing the catalyst material (such as the use of precious metals platinum, palladium, or transition metal oxides) and the structural design (such as nanometer, porous).
Moisture resistance and stability: Indoor air usually contains high water vapor, which may affect the performance of the catalyst. Developing catalysts with moisture resistance and long-term stability is key. For example, by adding hydrophobic materials or improving the support, the moisture resistance of the catalyst can be improved.
Safety and environmental protection: indoor air purification catalysts must be non-toxic and harmless, and do not produce secondary pollution during use. Selecting environmentally friendly materials and optimizing the preparation process can ensure the safety of the catalyst.
Low cost and easy maintenance: For widespread use, catalysts need to be low cost and high durability, while being easy to replace and maintain.
In the future, with the advancement of material science and catalytic technology, such catalysts will play a greater role in the field of indoor air purification, providing people with a healthier and safer living environment.