Multi-functional protective textiles and methods for decontamination

Abstract

A reactive and adsorptive (i.e., multi-functional protective) textile 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. In one aspect, a protective spatially-distributed biocidal interface is provided comprising a textile having interior structures, wherein protective nanoparticles bonded to said interior structures such that an article or portions of an article which are maintained in proximity to the textile are permitted to safely pass through a contaminated environment without dispersing the nanoparticles from protective proximity to the article.

1 . A method of protecting against a chemical or biological agent with a textile-based decontaminant, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a combination of protective particulates including (i) activated carbon and (ii) adsorptive or reactive finely-divided metal containing nanoparticles which cling together into agglomerations;    fluidizing the particulates into a cloud to reduce agglomeration; and    impelling the fluidized particulates onto a textile so that the particulates are non-occludingly bound directly to the textile while avoiding chemical changes and reactions to the particulates to produce a multi-functional protective material,    whereby the protective material is adapted to decontaminate chemical or biological agents disposed within the environment.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the impelling step includes bonding biocidally-reactive nanoparticulates directly to the textile while avoiding changes which would erode the surface structure comprising jagged edges of the atoms/ions which facilitate lysis.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticulates have oxygen ion moieties on their surfaces, wherein chemical or biological agents interact with, or are chemisorbed by the surface oxygen ions.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the nanoparticulates are adapted to decontaminate an agent selected from the group consisting of toxic industrial chemicals (TICS), toxic industrial materials (TIMs), carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ), dimethyl-methyl-phosphonate (DDMP), paraoxon, 2-choroethyl-ethyl sulfide (2-CEES), military agents, mustard (HD) agent, acid gases, biological warfare agents, infectious microoganisms, viruses, bacteria, sporulated bacteria, Anthrax, fungi, protozoa and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the finely-divided metal containing nanoparticulates have an average pore radius between 45 Angstroms and 100 Angstroms.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the finely-divided metal containing nanoparticulates have a BET multi-point surface area of at least about 120 m 2 /g.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the finely-divided metal containing nanoparticulates are formed from 1-200 nm sized nanoparticulate clusters.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the finely-divided metal containing nanoparticulates are combined with a halogen.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the finely-divided metal containing nanoparticulates are combined with a composition selected from the group consisting of a second different metal, an alkali metal, a metal nitrate, SO 2 , NO 2 , ozone and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the finely-divided metal containing nanoparticulates are made from a material selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal hydrate, a metal hydroxide, POM's and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the finely-divided metal containing nanoparticulates are combined with a halogen.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the finely-divided metal containing nanoparticulates are combined with a composition selected from the group consisting of a second different metal, an alkali metal, a metal nitrate, SO 2 , NO 2 , ozone and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon is wettlerized to contain metal ions that are adapted to protect against blood agents disposed within the environment.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the carbon is derived from gel-type resin.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon has a surface area above about 1,500 m 2 /g.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon is powder.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the protective material contains an adhesive.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the adhesive is a powder.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fluidizing step includes impelling the fluidized particulates and the adhesive onto the textile.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further including a heating step.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a heating step.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the textile contains fibers, and the impelling step includes imbedding the particulates into the fibers.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the textile contains bi-component polymer fibers.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further including a step of heating the polymer fibers.