(544g) Metal Organic Framework Composites for Chemical Protection

Several MOFs have shown remarkable capabilities of degrading chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and their simulants. However, the exploration of MOFs in engineered materials such as textiles and clothing for chemical protection has not been prominently explored. It is envisioned that the next generation of protective clothing can shield environmental contaminants by integrating reactive materials, such as MOFs, into the fabric, where in addition to providing a physical barrier, the protective clothing can also undergo self-decontamination. Toward that end, we have engineered a nonwoven fiber composite containing reactive Zr-based MOFs that show the ability to degrade G- and V-type nerve agents. Our approach allows us to load a high weight content of MOFs on the fabric and offers access to reactive sites on the MOFs. We demonstrate through simulant and chemical agent reactions that MOFs in the fabric matrix remain highly reactive and mimic reactions of native MOF powders. These newly developed textiles are further evaluated for breathability, moisture vapor transport, and toxic gas permeation rates across the composite. We use DRIFTS to quantify the interactions between the substrate and reactive sites on the MOF to gain understanding of their reactivity. Our approach will serve as a platform for engineering MOFs into usable textiles without compromising MOF reactivity and performance.