Nanocrystals as destructive adsorbants for mimcs of chemical warfare agents

Hexafluoropropylene (HFP), is destructively adsorbed with specially prepared nanoscale magnesium oxide powders producing MgF2, CO, CO2 and graphite. The reaction occurs best at 450 degrees C with a 2:1 surface oxide-to-HFP ratio. The reaction is monitored using pulsed U-tube reactors which shows the elution of large amounts of CO and CO2 which steadily decreases as the surface oxides me depleted. The elution of small amounts of C2F4 is also seen close to the breakthrough point of the reaction. The solid product is partially enclosed in graphite and has a 2:1 ratio of MgO to MgF2, confirmed by elemental analysis Powder XRD shows only the presence of MgF2 in the solid, indicating the MgO has lost all crystallinity during the reaction. FT-IR of the solid during and after reaction indicates the presence of CF2 and hexafluoropropylene epoxide as intermediates. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc.