Nanoporous Polymer/Metal-Organic Framework Nonwoven Cloth: Electrospinning Fabrication and Application for Capture of Chemical Warfare Agents
Abstract
Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are highly toxic chemical compounds that pose an extreme risk to the society with the peril of terrorist attacks and conflicts. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of materials for the detection, capture, and decontamination of CWAs. Current state-of-the-art protective materials consist of activated carbon supplemented with metal nanoparticles and/or organic amines, however, they suffer from deactivation problems. Recently a new generation materials metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have exhibited capability of adsorbing and degrading a broad range of toxic agents in actual application conditions (i.e. ambient temperature and humidity) owing to their unique features, including 1) large surface area and high porosity (the most porous materials known to date, up to 7000 m2/g), 2) tunable crystalline compounds by using different metal ions or ion clusters and organic linkers, 3) exceptional structural, chemical tunability, and active sites, and 4) convenient synthesis. These features make them ideal platforms for capture, sensing, and decontamination of CWAs. Since MOFs are generally synthesized in the form of insoluble powders, it is a challenge to fabricate MOF into thin films, gas filters, or smart membranes that are ideal for gas adsorption or isolation. Over the past several years, there are a few methods developed for toxic gas detection, adsorption, and destruction by using MOF thin films or membranes, such as growth on non-porous substrates by liquid-phase epitaxy, atomic layer deposition (ALD), and electrospinning. Among them, electrospinning has a major advantage for engineering MOFs with conformal nonreactive polymeric materials in that it provides a dimension of functionality. Electrospun fabric materials with MOFs also could provide fabrics with additional porosity and reactivity toward target chemicals. However, compatibility between MOFs and polymers is the biggest challenging for engineering MOFs into composite clothes. In this proposed research, polymer/MOF sols will be prepared in a solution containing polymer substrates by a single-step synthesis process, resulting in a highly compatible polymer/MOF/solvent solution, to fabricate MOF/polymer cloth with MOF uniformly dispersed in the matrix by using a facile electrospinning technique. The final polymer/MOF composite clothes will enable a high-performance membrane/film capable of capture of CWAs, which will potentially minimize the loss from terrorist attacks and conflict, as well as industrial accidents. This proposed research will involve underrepresented African American in STEM at Delaware State University, one of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The students will 1) improve foundational knowledge, experimental techniques, and the ability for numerical data analysis, and ii) will have the opportunity of improving communication skills through oral discussion and writing reports. Meanwhile, based on this proposed research, the PIs can continue the participation in research-based teaching and course development, such as to create advanced courses of Materials Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. This proposed research matches the theme in The Center for Bio-Molecular Science and Engineering of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) (69-19-01 - RESEARCH IN BIO/MOLECULAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING) for detection/decontamination/neutralization of explosives, pollutants, pathogens, toxic agents, and hazardous chemicals in a variety of matrices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 24, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310149
Entities
People
- Yanfeng Yue
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Delaware State University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense