Gold Innovations Blog

The team working on preparation of gold catalysts via physical vapour deposition (PVD) at 3M in the USA have had two new patents published, i.e. ‘Selective oxidation of carbon monoxide relative to hydrogen using catalytically active gold’ (WO Patent 2008/076137 A2) (PROX) and ‘Catalyst production process’ (WO Patent 2009/026035 A2).  This PVD method for making gold catalysts means gold is deposited onto oxide supports in an oxidising atmosphere. They are chloride-free, and there is therefore no need for washing with water to remove unwanted chloride.  Carbon can also be used as a support.  These gold catalysts have characteristics useful for removing carbon monoxide from hydrogen for fuel cell feeds, and in respirators to protect users from carbon monoxide poisoning during escape from fires, etc.  Other uses claimed are in vehicle and building protection, purification of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, oxidation of carbonaceous soot in diesel exhaust streams and selective oxidation of organic compounds.  The catalysts are active and durable.