Fate of Nerve Agent Simulants on Concrete
Abstract
The nerve agent VX (O-ethyl S- [2-(diisopropylamino )ethyl]methylphosphonothiolate) has been shown to decompose in contact with concrete surfaces. We have previously shown that 31P NMR can be employed to study I) the adsorption of VX into concrete; 2) the decomposition kinetics; and 3) detect decomposition products. Recently reported results show a dramatic effect of the VX decomposition kinetics on droplet size, with 0.01 micro Liter droplets reacting within a few hours in contrast to months observed for VX drop sizes on the order of several micro Liter. The objective of this paper is to probe the effects of temperature, moisture, concrete source and droplet size on the rate of hydrolysis. In the present study, 31P NMR showed that the hydrolysis of nerve agent simulants DMMP (dimethyl methylphosphonate) on concrete increased with increasing temperature, amount of water added, and pH of the concrete used. No effect on hydrolysis rate as a function of droplet size in the 0.05 to 2.0 micro Liter range was detected.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA449677
Entities
People
- C. A. Brevett
- G. W. Wagner