Recently developed poly(dicyclopentadiene) (pDCPD)-based porous foams demonstrate significant autooxidation upon exposure to air to form abundant surface peroxides are capable of decomposing surface residing contaminants, such as chemical warfare agent simulants. High internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating was used to fabricate the pDCPD materials resulting in microporous monoliths with high surface area.  Surface forming peroxides increased with increased porosity, indicating surface area dependent activation. Here, the modes of action for the activation and subsequent oxidation of contaminants are elucidated.  the (pDCPD)-based porous foams were subjected to in-situ simulant dosing DRIFTS analysis, where adsorption and reactions were monitored in real-time.  The degree of peroxide formation was quantified by DSC, and XPS valence band analysis provide insights into moiety formation.  The mechanism of oxidation of foams as well as decomposition of several contaminants are discussed along with implications for considerations required for field applications.<br/>

Mechanistic insights into self-decontaminating polyHIPE foams for force protection applications using <i>in-situ</i> DRIFTS

2019 Spring National Meeting

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Mechanistic insights into self-decontaminating polyHIPE foams for force protection applications using in-situ DRIFTS