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reportPersonnel Protection
9.10.3 Short description
Protective clothing is based on barrier suits that are either full barrier impermeable suits or
permeable adsorptive suits. Functionalised activated charcoal has been reported to been used for adsorption. The main disadvantage of charcoal for protective applications is its heavy weight and moisture retention in barrier suits [252]. DS2 is used in the United States as a decontamination agent against nerve gas. The disadvantage of this solution is that it is highly toxic, very corrosive and release toxic by products. These are also not active against biological agents. A number of other agents have been developed for decontamination of nerve agents, blister agents and blood
agents. Chemical such as b-cylcodextrin (b-CD), o-iodosobenzoic acid (IBA), polyoxometalates, peroxides, oximes, chloramines and metal nanoparticles have been mentioned to be suitable [
253 , 254, 255, 256, 257]
Nanoparticles of magnesium oxide were mentioned in the literature to have been mixed with a range of polymer solutions to produce nanocomposite membranes. A relative experimental comparison of paraoxon hydrolysis under ultraviolet light produced the best results from polysulphone. A further relative comparison of charcoal with nanoparticles produced a 60% hydrolysis result for magnesium oxide nanoparticles membranes. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles
were loaded up to 35% into the nanofiber, were demonstrated to be twice more reactive than charcoal [258].
Nanofibres offer high specific area, low fibre diameter, potential to include active chemistry,
filtration, layer thinness and high permeability [259]. The nanofibres can be incorporated into
cloths which serve the purpose of enhanced protection against aerosol. The nanofibres also
serve as carriers of active functionality that can detoxify the warfare agent without adding extra weight to the cloth. Functionalising the appropriate catalyst on the surface of the nanofiber has been mentioned in the literature as a suitable approach to detoxification [260]. Polymer nanofibre membrane was reported to have been produced using the electro spinning technique. These nanofibres were reported to be functionalised with activated granular carbon as catalyst. The catalyst provided good performance for paraoxon, an organophosphorus model for sarin, which
was used in the experimental study [261].
Protective gear for civilian security organisation forms an important part of protection in
hazardous situation they may find themselves in the line of duty. Protective equipment is
expected to provide light weight gear which will allow extreme mobility and high degree of
protection. Body armour composed of nanocomposites is expected to become routine. The use of Kevlar in helmets is an example of such light weight protection. Body armour is also expected to provide protection against any chemical and biological warfare agents used in civilian zones. Multilayer polymer thin films have been mentioned for use in body suits that would neutralise the
effect of chemical or biological agents. The use of dendrimers has been mentioned for detoxifying the effects of mustard gas. The use of electrorheological fluids which changes its rigidity in response to an electric charge has been suggested for protection application. An electric charge in such passed through the fluid in between layers of fabric arranged like a deck of cards could be a potential solution [262].
Protective vest, shields, barriers, and explosion proof blankets against bullets, sharp objects and explosive devices are necessary for the protection of civilian security agencies. Research in Australia has examined the potential of using carbon nanotubes against ballistic impact. A comparative study of bullet impact on carbon nanotubes with both ends fixed and one end fixed was performed for different radii. The study was performed using a piece of diamond with varying
velocities at different positions on the nanotubes. The absorption efficiency was reported to high for fixed ends nanotubes, and lowest middle point of the nanotubes [263]. Yarns of multiwalled carbon nanotubes have been produced with yarn strength greater than 460 MPa. These have shown to be as strong as existing bullet proof vest and with 48% reversible damping. These offer high thermal, creep resistance, chemical resistance and a substantial increase in yarn strength on
incorporation into a polymer matrix [264].
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Visits: 686, Published on: May, 18th 2009, 04:15 PM, Last edit: May, 26th 2009, 03:02 PM Size: 4 KByte
Tags: nanoparticles magnesium oxide, nanofibres, thin films, dendrimers, Carbon Nanotubes