Low-Temperature Oxidation of Ethylene over Platinum Nanoparticles Supported on Mesoporous Silica†
C.X.J. acknowledges MEXT of Japan for a scholarship.
Graphical Abstract
Fresh fruit not rotting vegetables: Ethylene released from fruits and vegetables accelerates their spoiling even in refrigerators. To oxidatively remove traces of ethylene from a gas mix, supported metal nanoparticles were tested. A Pt catalyst supported on mesoporous silica gave complete conversion of 50 ppm ethylene even at 0 °C. IR experiments suggest the facile oxidation of CO over Pt on the silica supports is the key to the catalytic activity.