Oxime-Functionalized, Nonwoven Nanofabrics for Rapid, Inexpensive Decontamination of a Nerve Agent Simulant

Abstract

Organophosphorous-based nerve agents remain one of the most toxic and accessible chemical warfare agents known to man. Herein, we report the development of novel, oxime-functionalized poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP-Ox) materials as inexpensive, scalable polymeric substrates capable of rapid decontamination of nerve agents, as demonstrated using one nerve agent simulant, dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP). The incorporated oximes adjacent to positively charged pyridinium salts remain deprotonated at neutral to slightly basic pH, providing super-nucleophilic materials to deactivate nerve agents and their simulants rapidly and irreversibly. These materials were electrospun to form nanofabrics, providing increased surface area and enhanced reactivity for degradation of DMNP. Nanofibers obtained from P4VP functionalized at 20 mol % pendants with ortho-pyridinium oximes moieties (P4VP-OOx20%) provided the fastest reaction kinetics. This substrate provided complete decomposition of DMNP within 1.5 h and calculated t 1/2 = 14.4 min. The P4VP-Ox substrates were also found to be recyclable, allowing for quantitative DMNP degradation within 8 h over the course of four reaction cycles. Furthermore, to mimic real-life scenarios, we attempted solid-state DMNP degradation via applying small drops of DMNP directly on the nanofabric substrates and extracting with water for 31P NMR analysis. Overall, the P4VP-OOx20% substrate was found to retain its reactivity in the solid state, with the as-prepared nanofabric displaying >95% DMNP degradation after 6 h. When performed in different environments (i.e., 100% humidity, hexanes-rich atmosphere), the reactivity diminished slightly but still displayed >95% degradation after 24 h of reaction, establishing these materials for applications as reactive, economical, and easily scalable Chem-Bio protective materials.

Facile Recycling Strategy of Dyed Polyester Waste by Template-Based Synthesis of UiO-66 for Value-Added Transformation into Self-detoxifying Fabrics

“…In other words, as DMNP degrades, it is converted more into p -nitrophenoxide. In this study, a higher DMNP conversion rate (%) indicates relatively more p -nitrophenoxide produced from a greater extent of DMNP degradation . A further analysis of DMNP degradation was conducted by measuring the absorbance of p -nitrophenoxide.…”

“…In this study, a higher DMNP conversion rate (%) indicates relatively more p -nitrophenoxide produced from a greater extent of DMNP degradation. 39 A further analysis of DMNP degradation was conducted by measuring the absorbance of p -nitrophenoxide. In Figure 3 d, the DMNP conversion of Zr@PET hyd is shown to have increased as the hydrolysis time was increased, suggesting that the greater carboxylic density, attributed to the extended hydrolysis period, allowed a higher loading of UiO-66, leading to an enhanced catalytic reaction for DMNP degradation.…”

Supramolecular Nonwoven Materials via Thermally Induced Precursor Crystallization of Nanocrystalline Fibers/Belts for Recyclable Air Filters

“…Functional nonwoven materials, composed of large aspect ratio micro-/nanofibers, are flexible and porous fabrics featuring high porosity, a large surface area to volume ratio, good air permeability, controllable mechanical strength, and easy functionalization. These micro-/nanofibrous nonwovens are widely used in tissue engineering, healthcare, filtration, aerospace, military, etc. Currently, spun bonding, melt blowing, solution blow spinning, and electrospinning are the main approaches to producing micro-/nanofibrous nonwovens. , However, these methods generally require unconventional preparation conditions or special raw materials.…”