With the potential threat of organophosphate based chemical warfare agents, there is a need for new devices or surfaces that can quickly degrade these agents into less toxic substances in a variety of environments. Using surface intiated atom transfer radical polymerization we have prepared a series of quaternary ammonium fluoride based polymer brushes with steric or electronic variations designed toward optimal absorption of the organophosphate into the brush and faster rates of remediation.  Using microfluidic channels, we have evaluated these brushes on organophosphate based pesticides and analyzed the compounds produced via 31P, 19F and 1H NMR and Mass spectrometry techniques. Microfluidics allows us to vary flow rates, channel length, and channel thickness allowing for a precise measurement of the residence time the organophosphate spends within our brush system.

Surface initiated polymer brushes for the catalytic remediation of organophosphates

246th National Meeting (2013)

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