Multi-functional protective fiber and methods for use

Abstract

A reactive and adsorptive (i.e., protective) fiber, a multi-element protective filter and methods for constructing and using same which possess at least chemically reactive and biocidal properties. Nanoparticles from different classes such as metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal hydrates and POMs are incorporated into elements which can be utilized in a wide variety of protective materials. The nanoparticles may be treated to reduce water solubility or combined with halogens, alkali metals or secondary metal oxides to specifically engineer the nanoparticle to address a particular chemical or biocidal threat. When arranged upstream of an activated carbon filter, the nanoparticles provide enhanced adsorption or additional reactive properties to the protective filter. When used with carbon specially treated with metal ions, the protective filter retains the ability to adsorb blood agents as well. Significant advances in nanoparticle technology are described wherein clusters made from about 1 nm to about 200 nm sized nanoparticles are reduced to tangible filter element precursors.

1 . A protective filter which improves the capability of activated carbon comprising: 
 an activated carbon filter element; and    a nanoparticle filter element combined with said activated carbon filter element to provide one of (i) enhanced chemical adsorption, (ii) additional chemically reactive properties, or (iii) additional biocidally reactive properties.    
     
     
         2 . The protective filter of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticular entities comprise clusters of 1 nm to 200 nm nanoparticles.  
     
     
         3 . The protective fiber of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are one of metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal hydrates, and polyoxometallates.  
     
     
         4 . The protective filter of  claim 1 , wherein said activated carbon filter element is arranged downstream of said nanoparticle filter element, in the direction of a contaminated stream.  
     
     
         5 . The protective filter of  claim 4 , wherein the provision of (i) enhanced chemical adsorption comprises first adsorption of chemical entities by said nanoparticle filter element thereby extending the life of the downstream activated carbon element.  
     
     
         6 . The protective filter of  claim 4 , wherein the provision of (ii) additional chemically reactive properties comprises decomposition of chemical entities by said nanoparticle filter element thereby conserving available pores within the activated carbon filter element.  
     
     
         7 . The protective filter of  claim 4 , wherein the provision of (iii) additional biocidally reactive properties comprises lysis of biological entities.  
     
     
         8 . The protective filter of  claim 4 , wherein the protective filter comprises an air permeable filter where a stream passes through the filter and the filter elements are adapted to selectively inactivate chemical and biological contaminates by adsorption and reactive activities.  
     
     
         9 . The protective filter of  claim 4 , wherein said activated carbon filter element includes activated carbon treated with metal ions to provide protection against blood agents.  
     
     
         10 . The protective filter of  claim 4 , wherein the protective filter comprises an air permeable filter where a stream passes through the filter and the filter elements are adapted to selectively inactivate chemical, biological and blood agent contaminates by adsorptive and reactive activities.  
     
     
         11 . The protective filter of  claim 10 , wherein said activated carbon comprises wettlerized activated carbon.