CHED 364 |
| 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. We are creating polyelectrolyte thin films containing reactive nanoparticles as a passive decontamination system. Magnesium oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles incorporated into thin multi-layer films of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) are capable of degrading Paraoxon, a chemical warfare agent simulant. Using Paraoxon, the degradation reaction can be monitored spectrophotometrically. Procedures for incorporation of nanoparticles during electrostatic layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte film deposition will be discussed. Surface characterization and chemical reactivity of the nanoparticle-containing polyelectrolyte thin films 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 |