Adsorption and Decomposition of CWA Simulants on Single Crystal and Nanostructured Metal Oxides

I. Foreword Our studies are directed at determining the adsorption mechanisms and reaction pathways for the chemical warfare agent simulant (CWA) for GB (Sarin) on metal oxide surfaces and nanoparticles. By learning about how surface structure, nanoparticle size, composition, and surface co-adsorbates affect the overall interfacial chemistry, we are providing insight that can be applied toward the development of effective sorbent materials for protection and decontamination. Our approach couples ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) surface analysis instrumentation with precision simulant dosing capabilities to explore agent reactivity on highly characterized and contaminant-free metal oxide surfaces. Our work during this funding period has focused on studying the uptake and decomposition of the simulant dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) when it impinges on the surface of nanoparticulate systems.