Electrocatalysis of Chemical Warfare Agent Sulfur Mustard in Room Temperature Ionic Liquid

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have the potential for being ideal alternatives for organic solvents in chemical warfare agent (CWA) electrochemical reactions. In this paper, electrocatalysis of CWA sulfur mustard (SM) was achieved by exploring the potential advantage of RTIL methyltrioctylammonium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide and further this methodology was used for the detection of CWA. The hydrophobicity of this RTIL offers the opportunity to use this methodology in field condition without environmental humidity effect. The diffusion coefficient calculated for SM in RTIL was 0.196x10(-9)cm(2)/s. The electrochemical parameters deduced from cyclic voltammetry such as electron transfer coefficient (), electron transfer number (n) and heterogenous rate constant were estimated 0.11, 2 and 4.41s(-1), respectively. The electrocatalytic activity of the RTIL toward the electrochemical reduction and oxidation of CWA is evidenced, showing the potential of this novel approach for the oxidation of other toxic CWAs. The new RTIL based strategy provides an opportunity to develop field deployable detection of CWA and could provide a new paradigm shift in CWA detection approach, addressing the escalating threat of CWA.