Homogeneous catalytic fiber coatings and methods of preparing same

Methods of providing a homogeneous or uniform catalytic coating on an inorganic fiber substrate include using a vacuum to coat the substrate, improved coating solutions or mixtures and/or drying methods to prevent migration of metal catalyst precursors to the exterior surfaces and edges of the inorganic fiber substrate. The methods may include adding a component to the first coating solution or mixture before coating the inorganic fiber substrate; applying a second coating solution or mixture to the coated inorganic fiber substrate; drying the coated inorganic fiber substrate at ambient conditions, under controlled conditions, or with microwave radiation; or optimizing an amount of a salt, water, or an organic solvent in the coating solution.