Coating of Pt-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Layers on Ceramics Scaffolds for Practical Preservation System for Greengrocery

To enhance the decomposition properties of ethylene, Pt-loaded mesoporous silica (SiO₂) was coated onto the scaffolds of cordierite (Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈) membranes (CM) and glass fibers (GF). The surface areas of the mesostructured SiO₂ layers coated on CM (CM/meso-SiO₂) and GF (GF/meso-SiO₂) were, respectively, 118 and 323 times higher than those of the CM and GF. In addition, Pt nanoparticles were homogeneously loaded in the mesopores, which acted as a catalyst. The prepared CM/Pt@meso-SiO₂ and GF/Pt@meso-SiO₂ showed an efficient and high-performing ethylene decomposition. In particular, the flowers, fruits, and vegetables were well stored with the use of CM/Pt@meso-SiO₂ and GF/Pt@meso-SiO₂, which effectively decomposed ethylene gas they generated. As a result, Pt@meso-SiO₂ with scaffolds (CM and GF) are expected to be effective in commercial application for a practical system of preservation.