Catalytic activity of Au/Fe-PILC and Au/Fe-oxide catalysts for catalytic combustion of formaldehyde

Iron polymeric hydroxygroups pillared clays (Fe-PILC) were prepared by Na+-montmorillonite with iron pillaring agent. 2.01Au/Fe-PILC catalyst was obtained by deposited-precipitation (DP) method. 2.52Au/Fe-oxide catalyst was prepared by co-precipitation method. The catalytic activity of these catalysts was measured by catalytic combustion of formaldehyde. The catalyst of 2.01Au/Fe-PILC exhibits the high catalytic activity. The catalytic combustion reaction of formaldehyde proceeds at considerable rates at 20 degrees C and complete burn-off of formaldehyde is achieved at 120 degrees C. The structure of catalysts, the valence state of gold and the size of gold particles were investigated by means of X-ray powder diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that gold atoms with partially positive charge exist in the catalyst and play an important role in the catalytic activity. In addition, nano-sized, well-dispersed gold particles and good adsorption properties of support are necessary to obtain high activity Au catalysts for catalytic combustion of formaldehyde.