Programmable crystalline sponge fabric composite material used to eliminate biological and chemical threats. Image source: Northwestern University
The multifunctional MOF-based fiber composite material designed here may be used as a protective cloth against biological and chemical threats.
Multifunctional and renewable N-chloro-based insecticidal and detoxifying textiles use a strong zirconium metal organic frame (MOF)
The fiber composite material shows rapid biocidal activity against both Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), and each strain can be reduced by up to 7 logarithms within 5 minutes
MOF/fiber composites loaded with active chlorine can selectively and rapidly degrade sulfur mustard and its chemical analogue 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) with a half-life of less than 3 minutes
A research team from Northwestern University has developed a multifunctional composite fabric that can eliminate biological threats (such as the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19) and chemical threats (such as those used in chemical warfare).
After the fabric is threatened, the material can be restored to its original state through a simple bleaching treatment.
“Having a dual-functional material that can simultaneously inactivate chemical and biological toxicants is critical because the complexity of integrating multiple materials to complete this work is very high,” said Omar Farha of Northwestern University, who is a metal-organic framework or MOF experts, this is the foundation of technology.
Farha is a professor of chemistry at the Weinberg School of Arts and Sciences and the co-corresponding author of the study. He is a member of the International Institute of Nanotechnology at Northwestern University.
MOF/fiber composites are based on earlier research in which Farha’s team created a nanomaterial that can inactivate toxic nerve agents. Through some small operations, researchers can also add antiviral and antibacterial agents to the material.
Faha said that MOF is a “precision bath sponge.” Nano-sized materials are designed with many holes, which can trap gas, vapor and other substances like a sponge traps water. In the new composite fabric, the cavity of the MOF has a catalyst that can inactivate toxic chemicals, viruses and bacteria. Porous nanomaterials can be easily coated on textile fibers.
Researchers found that MOF/fiber composites showed rapid activity against SARS-CoV-2, as well as Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). In addition, MOF/fiber composites loaded with active chlorine can rapidly degrade mustard gas and its chemical analogues (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, CEES). The nanopores of the MOF material coated on the textile are wide enough to allow sweat and water to escape.
Farha added that this composite material is scalable because it only requires basic textile processing equipment currently used in industry. When used in conjunction with a mask, the material should be able to perform at the same time: to protect the mask wearer from viruses in their vicinity, and to protect individuals who come in contact with the infected person wearing the mask.
Researchers can also understand the active sites of materials at the atomic level. This allows them and others to derive structure-performance relationships to create other MOF-based composite materials.
Immobilize renewable active chlorine in zirconium-based MOF textile composites to eliminate biological and chemical threats. Journal of the American Chemical Society, September 30, 2021.
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Post time: Oct-23-2021