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Composite polytetrafluoroethylene–poly(4-vinylpyridine) membranes for protection against phosphonate-based cholinesterase inhibitors

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Abstract

An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane was modified with an interpenetrating network of cross-linked poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PVP), a pH-responsive, nucleophilic polymer. Stirred reactor testing performed in buffered acidic conditions confirmed that PVP is a suitable catalyst to break down diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), a commonly used nerve agent surrogate. The presence of the PVP interpenetrating network on the ePTFE membrane was established using Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Goniometric measurements of average contact angles greater than 120° performed post-modification confirmed that the ePTFE membrane retained its hydrophobic properties. Utility of the ePTFE/PVP membrane was assessed by subjecting samples to DFP vapor permeation using the vial-in-vial method. The pH response of modified membranes having PVP loadings high enough to enable penetration of water was tested using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Changes in peak current and electron transfer resistance, R ET, corresponding with pH revealed that the ePTFE/PVP membranes are potential candidates for self-decontamination and electrochemical sensing. Finally, nanoscale characterization of the responsive membranes using atomic force microscopy was performed via the Derjaguin approximation, which treats the surface-confined polymer as a brush. Analysis established that the average brush length increased from 60 to 70 nm in response to a pH decrease from 7 to 4.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by an appointment to the Postgraduate Research Participation Program at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) through an interagency agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Readiness Directorate, Airbase Technologies Division (AFCEC/CXAE). The authors also thank Jeffery Eichler and Rosalyn Limbacher for their assistance with sample analysis and preparation, and Stedfast Inc. for providing ePTFE membranes.

Funding

The authors thank the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Army Natick Soldier RD&E Center for funding this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Air Force Civil Engineer Center, AFCEC/CXAE, Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, FL, 32403, USA

    Guinevere Strack, Rashelle McDonald, W. Bruce Salter, Katherine Simpson, Dmytro Volkov & Jeffery Owens

  2. Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA

    Guinevere Strack & Dmytro Volkov

  3. Universal Technology Corporation, 1270 N. Fairfield Drive, Dayton, OH, 45432, USA

    Rashelle McDonald, W. Bruce Salter & Katherine Simpson

  4. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA

    Guinevere Strack

Authors
  1. Guinevere Strack
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  2. Rashelle McDonald
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  3. W. Bruce Salter
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  4. Katherine Simpson
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  5. Dmytro Volkov
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  6. Jeffery Owens
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Correspondence to Guinevere Strack or Jeffery Owens.

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Strack, G., McDonald, R., Salter, W.B. et al. Composite polytetrafluoroethylene–poly(4-vinylpyridine) membranes for protection against phosphonate-based cholinesterase inhibitors. J Mater Sci 52, 12902–12912 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1343-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1343-8

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