Nanocrystals as destructive adsorbants for mimcs of chemical warfare agents

Hexafluoropropylene (HFP), is destructively adsorbed with specially prepare d nanoscale magnesium oxide powders producing MgF2, CO, CO2 and graphite. T he reaction occurs best at 450 degrees C with a 2:1 surface oxide-to-HFP ra tio. The reaction is monitored using pulsed U-tube reactors which shows the elution of large amounts of CO and CO2 which steadily decreases as the sur face oxides me depleted. The elution of small amounts of C2F4 is also seen close to the breakthrough point of the reaction. The solid product is parti ally enclosed in graphite and has a 2:1 ratio of MgO to MgF2, confirmed by elemental analysis Powder XRD shows only the presence of MgF2 in the solid, indicating the MgO has lost all crystallinity during the reaction. FT-IR o f the solid during and after reaction indicates the presence of CF2 and hex afluoropropylene epoxide as intermediates. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc.