Nanoparticle Adhesive Deposition Process for Metal Hydroxide Nanoplatelets

To address the USSOCOM need to develop new materials or processes using nanotechnology for chemical and biological warfare (CBW) defense, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Nanoparticle Adhesive Deposition (NANOPAD) process. This proposed process is based on established chemical finishing techniques using chemically synthesized metal hydroxide nanoplatelets (MHN) to impregnate fabrics, clothing, and hard materials. The innovation in applying an MHN treatment using an adaptation of a textile-finishing process will enable the development of self-decontaminating, self-neutralizing, and fire-retardant protective clothing and materials for CBW defense. As a result, the NANOPAD process offers a cost-effective, verifiable, and environmentally friendly approach to MHN-infused material production, which directly addresses the USSOCOM requirements for clean, green Chem/Bio defense process using nanotechnology. In Phase I, POC plans to demonstrate the NANOPAD process for integrating MHN into materials for self-decontamination, self-neutralization of CBW threats, and fire protection. POC will develop the NANOPAD process and verify the approach by performing a comparative study with other methods of MHN integration. In Phase II, POC will optimize the NANOPAD process and demonstrate the decontamination of chemical agents and neutralization of biological agents without the threat of mutant strains, and provide off-the-shelf clothing with fire-retardant laundering-proof fibers. BENEFITS: The fully developed NANOPAD process will provide a cost-effective approach to creating self-decontaminating, self-neutralizing, and fire-retardant clothing and material surfaces. Direct commercial applications of the NANOPAD-treated materials will include creating protective clothing and equipment for CBW safety with added flame resistance. There are many potential applications for a nontoxic, self-decontaminating surface treatment that would impact the medical, food and beverage, industrial protective clothing, air and water purification, and sanitation industries, among others. The flame-retardant properties extend the applications to fire protection for protective clothing, furniture and upholstery, and vehicle interiors and exteriors. Prophylactic treatments using NANOPAD could make safer a broad range of public and commercial venues including medical facilities, gyms/spas, food preparation and storage areas, stadiums, and airports and public transport facilities.