Researchers Make Chemical Warfare Protective Nanofibers out of Deck Sealer
While cotton may be the fabric of our lives, Texas Tech University researchers may have discovered a polyurethane nanofiber technique that can save lives.
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, an assistant professor at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health at Texas Tech, and graduate student Thandavamoorthy Subbiah discovered a honeycomb polyurethane nanofabric by using electrospinning. The nanofabric, created by exposing polyurethane to high voltage, can not only trap toxic chemicals, but also be used in a hazardous material suit.
Ramkumar鈥檚 findings are featured in the Sept. 5 edition of the Journal of Applied Polymer Science. The project was supported by the U.S. federal funds.
鈥淭hese fibers are tiny,鈥� Ramkumar said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e about 1,000 times smaller than microfibres. We are able to develop honeycomb-like structures with this method, which makes a mesh within a mesh. This may not only provide increased surfaces area, but also can trap toxic chemicals more efficiently. These fibers are yet to be tested for their protection capabilities.鈥�
Ramkumar and other researchers were able to observe self-assembled honeycomb nanomeshes that have not been reported before in the case of polyurethane nanofibers.
鈥淭his can be a very efficient filter against toxic chemicals, as well as a membrane for protecting people,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his will provide a significant boon to chemical protective clothing as well as a method to trap chemical warfare agents.鈥�
Source: Texas Tech University
