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Air Activated Self‐Decontaminating Polydicyclopentadiene PolyHIPE Foams for Rapid Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents
Author(s) -
McGann Christopher L.,
Daniels Grant C.,
Giles Spencer L.,
Balow Robert B.,
MirandaZayas Jorge L.,
Lundin Jeffrey G.,
Wynne James H.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201800194
Subject(s) - human decontamination , emulsion , filtration (mathematics) , chemical warfare agents , chemistry , polymer , activated carbon , porous medium , chemical engineering , adsorption , porosity , organic chemistry , waste management , biochemical engineering , statistics , mathematics , engineering
The threat of chemical warfare agents (CWA) compels research into novel self‐decontaminating materials (SDM) for the continued safety of first‐responders, civilians, and active service personnel. The capacity to actively detoxify, as opposed to merely sequester, offending agents under typical environmental conditions defines the added value of SDMs in comparison to traditional adsorptive materials. Porous polymers, synthesized via the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating, provide a facile fabrication method for materials with permeable open cellular structures that may serve in air filtration applications. PolyHIPEs comprising polydicyclopentadiene (polyDCPD) networks form stable hydroperoxide species following activation in air under ambient conditions. The hydroperoxide‐containing polyDCPD materials react quickly with CWA simulants, Demeton‐S and 2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, forming oxidation products as confirmed via gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The simplicity of the detoxification chemistry paired with the porous foam form factor presents an exciting opportunity for the development of self‐decontaminating filter media.