Earth Friendly nanomaterials can be produced by aerogel, sol-gel, and/or flame synthesis designed to produce high surface area nanocrystalline, porous aggregates of selected metal oxides MgO, CaO, TiO2, ZnO, and mixed oxides, for example, MgO-TiO2.  These porous aggregates are generally made up of 4-10 nm crystallites, but the aggregates are several microns in size.  The aggregates can be pressed into porous pellets and, if desired, can be attached to filter media for use in air purification.  Indeed, these materials have been used for a wide range of environmental remediation purposes, and have been commercialized: FAST-ACT� for protection from chemical warfare agents and other toxic chemicals; OdorKlenz� for odor control; ChemKlenz� for chemical spills; and NanoActive� metal oxides for a host of other applications.  The unique chemistry of these materials depends on nanocrystal morphologies and surface energies, and often leads to �destructive adsorption,� thereby irreversibly destroying the toxins.  Also, the reactive chemistry of these porous nanomaterials is very different from bulk powders. Numerous examples of unique morphologies will be shown, as well as destructive adsorption chemistries.

Functional nanoparticles aimed at specific real world applications: Destructive adsorbents

245th National Meeting (2013)

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