Chemistry Weekly Seminar - Dr. Barry Blight, University of New Brunswick
Dr. Barry Blight, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick will present a seminar at 1:30 pm via Zoom.
Title
Swell and Destroy: A MOF-Containing Polymer Sponge that Immobilizes and Catalytically Degrades Nerve Agents
Abstract
Organophosphorus chemical warfare agents function as potent neurotoxins.1,2 Whilst the destruction of nerve agents is most readily achieved by hydrolysis, their storage and transport is hazardous; lethal in milligram doses with any spillage resulting in fatalities.3 Furthermore, current decontamination and remediation measures are limited by the need for stoichiometric reagents, solvents and buffered solutions, complicating the process for the treatment of bulk contaminants. In this seminar, I will present a composite polymer material capable of rendering bulk VX unusable by immobilization within a porous polymer4 until a MOF catalyst fully hydrolyses the neurotoxin.5 We believe that this composite is the first example of what will be the go-to approach for CWA immobilization and degradation in the future.6 Potentially, 4.5 kg of the composite can absorb, immobilize and degrade the contents of a standard chemical drum/barrel (208 litres, 55 gallons) of chemical warfare agent. Furthermore, we believe that this demonstration of a catalytically reusable absorbent sponge provides a signpost for the development of similar materials where immobilization of a substrate in a catalytically active environment is desirable.
References
(1) J. E. Mondloch et al, Nat. Mater. 2015, 14, 512.
(2) S.-Y. Moon, Y. Liu, J. T. Hupp, O. K. Farha, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2015, 54, 6795.
(3) S.-Y. Moon, G. W. Wagner, J. E. Mondloch, G. W. Peterson, J. B. DeCoste, J. T. Hupp, O. K. Farha, Inorg. Chem., 2015, 54, 10829.
(4) Wright, A. J.; Main, M. J.; Cooper, N. J.; Blight, B. A.; Holder, S. J.* ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2017, 9, 31335.
(5) Kalinovskyy, Y.; Cooper, N. J.; Main, M. J.; Holder, S. J.; Blight, B. A.* Dalton Trans. 2017, 46, 15704.
(6) Kalinovskyy, Yaroslav B.; Wright, Alexander J; Hiscock, Jennifer R.; Watts, Toby D.; Williams, Rebecca L.; Cooper, Nicholas J; Holder, Simon J.; Blight, Barry A.* ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2020, 12(7), 8634-8641.
Date: Friday, October 1
Time: 1:30 pm
Via Zoom video conference (link available by request to chem.dept@usask.ca)