Ultraviolet Light‐Assisted Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agent Simulant 2‐Chloroethyl Phenyl Sulfide on Metal‐Loaded TiO2/Ti Surfaces

• Published in: ChemistryOpen (Weinheim) Vol. 13; no. 8; pp. e202300246 - n/a
• Main Authors: Jang, Hye Ji, Yun, Gaeun, Shim, Huieun, Hwang, Seon Young, Kim, So Young, Kim, Jeongkwon, Jung, Heesoo, Khan, Mohammad Mansoob, Sohn, Youngku
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-08-2024; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley-VCH
• Subjects: 2-chloroethyl phenyl sulfide; Alcohol; Chemical warfare; Chemical warfare agent; Copper; Decomposition reactions; Decontamination; Functional groups; Gold; Investigations; Light; Overlaid Au; Oxidation; Photocatalysis; Photodecomposition; Secondary byproducts; TiO2/Ti; Titanium; Titanium dioxide; Ultraviolet radiation; UV photodecontamination
• ISSN: 2191-1363; 2191-1363
• DOI: 10.1002/open.202300246

The application of ultraviolet (UV) light for the decontamination of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) has gained recognition as an effective method, especially for treating hard‐to‐reach areas where wet chemical methods are impractical. In this study, TiO2/Ti was employed as a model catalyst, which was contaminated with 2‐chloroethyl phenyl sulfide (CEPS), and subjected to photocatalytic decontamination using both UVB and UVC light. Additionally, photocatalytic decontamination efficiency by introducing Au, Pt, and Cu onto the TiO2/Ti surface was explored. During the photodecomposition process under UVC light, at least eight distinct secondary byproducts were identified. It was observed that the introduction of overlayer metals did not significantly enhance the photodecomposition under UVC light instead overlaid Au exhibited substantially improved activity under UVB light. Whereas, photodecomposition process under UVB light, only five secondary products were detected, including novel compounds with sulfoxide and sulfone functional groups. This novel study offers valuable insights into the generation of secondary products and sheds light on the roles of overlayer metals and photon wavelength in the photodecontamination process of CWA.
UV light emerges as a potent decontaminant for chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Utilizing TiO2/Ti as a catalyst, this study investigates UV photocatalytic decontamination efficiency against 2‐chloroethyl phenyl sulfide. Introduction of Au, Pt, and Cu onto TiO2/Ti surface is explored. UVC light reveals eight secondary byproducts, while Au overlay notably boosts activity under UVB, uncovering valuable insights for CWA decontamination.