Nanoconfinement in the pores of mesoporous silica has remarkable effects on the sorption and stability of organic and inorganic compounds. For example the notoriously sensitive peroxide-based explosives TATP and HMTD are so stable when sorbed in mesoporous silica that the resulting materials do not explode by impact, friction or even when a flame is applied.  As such the materials are ideal for the manufacture of training aids for explosive-sensing dogs or vapor sources for safely developing and testing explosive sensors.  Similar principles of high adsorption capacity and the ability to stabilize reactive compounds also make mesoporous silica highly effective for the manufacture of chemical dosimeters. Finally, mesoporous silica has also proven useful for sorption of organic compounds such as dyes and trichloroethylene. For example, the sorption capacity for methylene blue is greater than 100% be weight.

Applications of the nanoconfinement effect in explosive stabilization, chemical dosimeters, and water treatment

2019 Fall National Meeting

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