A flexible self-detoxifying Zr(OH)4-carbon fiber composite for decontamination of chemical warfare agent

Abstract

Self-detoxifying materials for capturing and destructing chemical warfare agents (CWAs) have attracted intense attention in efficient personal protection and safe handling of contaminated materials. In this study, we reported an approach for synthesis of flexible Zr(OH)4-carbon fiber composite by sol–gel method. Activated carbon fibers serving as substrate carrier and adsorption conveyor could effectively make Zr(OH)4 evenly distributed on the surface, which has excellent sorption properties and wide-ranging reactivity toward CWAs. The results demonstrated that the Zr(OH)4-carbon fiber composite could quickly remove (within 10 s) and 6-h degradation efficiency to 10-mg/mL sulfur mustard (HD) and O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylamino)-ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX) could reach 92.2 and 99.99%. In addition, it was found that Zr(OH)4-carbon fiber composite remained intact after adsorption, which could recollect resources and avoid Zr(OH)4 leakage into waters. Therefore, the designed Zr(OH)4-carbon fiber composite will be a good potential application in precision equipment or skin decontamination equipment.