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 degrees 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 (Mt(2)Pc(2)F). Mt(2)Pc(2)F could be used to eliminate efficiently the malodors of methanthiol and hydrogen sulfide by catalytic oxidation reaction. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.