Work

Resistant functionalised cotton fabrics with Zr-based tetrahedral cages for degrading a chemical warfare simulant

Year: 2025

Type: preprint

Abstract: The resurgence of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in recent decades underscores the urgent need for efficient and durable personal protective equipment (PPE). Conventional systems employing zeolites or activated carbons provide only passive protection via adsorption and suffer from limited porosity, low catalytic activity, and weak adhesion to textile substrates. To address these challenges, metal–organic cages (MOCs) offer a promising alternative to metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) due to their solubility, molecular nature, and tunable surface reactivity. In this study, we report the deposition of zirconium-based MOCs (ZrMOCs) onto cotton fabrics using impregnation and in situ growth techniques to develop catalytically active and mechanically robust composites. The resulting MOC–cotton materials were characterised for deposition uniformity and durability under abrasion and ageing tests. Their catalytic performance was evaluated toward the hydrolytic degradation of dimethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP), a nerve-agent simulant. The in-situ growth method yielded homogeneous coverage and strong interfacial bonding between the ZrMOCs and cellulose fibres, resulting in enhanced resistance to mechanical stress and artificial ageing. Despite a moderate loading (6 wt%), the composite exhibited rapid DMNP decomposition (t₁/₂ < 25 min) and maintained activity after abrasion normed test. Although catalytic efficiency decreased after ageing, it remained superior to that of MOF-based cotton composites (UiO-66-NH₂). These results demonstrate the potential of ZrMOC-functionalized textiles as active protective materials for next-generation PPE for CWA decontamination, offering a promising route toward durable and multifunctional fabrics.

Source: ChemRxiv

DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-rzrng