CHED 359 |
| Chemical warfare agents are extremely hazardous materials and are a major threat to military and civilian populations. Among these compounds are certain organophosphate, phosphinate, and phosphonate esters, such as VX, Sarin, and Soman. Reactive polymer coatings capable of chemical warfare agent degradation offer a unique opportunity to decontaminate equipment/vehicles without intervention from personnel. Copper-loaded polymers have been shown to catalyze the hydrolysis of chemical warfare agents. We are synthesizing polymers containing copper transition metal complexes and screening for reactivity toward Paraoxon, a chemical warfare agent simulant. Using Paraoxon, the hydrolysis reaction can be monitored spectrophotometrically. The synthesis and characterization of copper-loaded polymers will be presented. Bulk materials will be evaluated to determine the effect of catalysts on the physical and mechanical properties of our polymers. Initial reactivity toward Paraoxon will also be presented. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Polymer Chemistry
2:30 PM-4:30 PM, Monday, 11 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |