Studies on Residue-Free Decontaminants for Chemical Warfare Agents
2015
Wagner, George W.
Residue-free decontaminants based on hydrogen peroxide, which decomposes to water and oxygen in the environment, are examined as decontaminants for chemical warfare agents (CWA). For the apparent special case of CWA on concrete, H₂O₂ alone, without any additives, effectively decontaminates S-2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX), pinacolyl methylphosphorofluoridate (GD), and bis(2-choroethyl) sulfide (HD) in a process thought to involve H₂O₂ activation by surface-bound carbonates/bicarbonates (known H₂O₂ activators for CWA decontamination). A plethora of products are formed during the H₂O₂ decontamination of HD on concrete, and these are characterized by comparison to synthesized authentic compounds. As a potential residue-free decontaminant for surfaces other than concrete (or those lacking adsorbed carbonate/bicarbonate) H₂O₂ activation for CWA decontamination is feasible using residue-free NH₃ and CO₂ as demonstrated by reaction studies for VX, GD, and HD in homogeneous solution. Although H₂O₂/NH₃/CO₂ (“HPAC”) decontaminants are active for CWA decontamination in solution, they require testing on actual surfaces of interest to assess their true efficacy for surface decontamination.
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