MOF-808 on Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers for Degradation of Chemical Warfare Agents
Fan Liu, Wenbo Li, Junjie Yang, Dongxiao Ji, Yuan Liang, Hengtao Liang, Xiang Li, Pengju Han, Zupei Yuan, Jianxin He, Weili Shao
Abstract
Highly efficient and reusable protective materials for chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are in high demand. Here, we used a surface modification technique to develop a material that provides chemical protection. Using an electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membrane as the substrate, we modified the surface of the nanofiber with dopamine hydrochloride, which self-polymerized to form a polydopamine (PDA) surface layer, onto which we loaded metal–organic framework (MOF-808) particles. The presence of PDA on the surface of the PAN nanofibers significantly increased the breaking strength (2-fold increase) and elongation (9-fold increase) of the nanofiber membrane. Moreover, the PDA functionalities formed coordination sites to trigger the in situ growth of MOF-808 particles on the surface of the nanofiber membrane, thereby considerably increasing the growth rate and loading capacity. The surface of the nanofiber membrane was completely covered with MOF-808 particles following solvothermal treatment for 16 h. The MOF-808/PAN/PDA composite membrane could rapidly degrade 99.9% of dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate to p -nitrophenol within 8 min. After the membrane was used several times, the conversion rate stabilized at 95.9%, indicating that the MOF-808/PAN/PDA composite membrane has significant potential for application as protective clothing for CWAs.