Rapid synthesis of biocompatible alginates for adsorption of chemical warfare agents

The demand for lightweight respirators necessitates the development of high-performance composites capable of removing chemical agents. However, most of these materials either pose risks to human health or involve toxic substances in their production. This study investigates the adsorption of cyanogen chloride and sarin onto spherical composites synthesized via a biocompatible and rapid alginate-based method. The incorporation of metal and triethylenediamine, combined with highly porous activated carbon powder, significantly enhances the adsorption capacity of the composite. Rapid synthesis through ion exchange maintains a highly specific surface area. Moreover, the impregnation of metal and triethylenediamine further augments both the physical and chemical adsorption performance of the composite. The properties of the composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analyses. Breakthrough time tests indicated that the impregnated alginate-based composites exhibited superior physical (143%) and chemical (128%) adsorption capabilities compared to military-activated carbon. This study presents a potential biocompatible alginate-based synthesis technique to improve adsorption while enabling easy and rapid adjustment of particle size.