(544be) Zirconium Hydroxide-Based Sorptive and Catalytic Textiles

Protective textiles rely heavily on sorption to protect against chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Textiles with carbon-based sorptive substrates are currently used, but have a high thermal burden for the wearer. New materials are needed that offer the same or better protection with a lower thermal burden. Zirconium hydroxide is a good candidate for incorporation into protective textiles, as it is both sorbent and catalytic against multiple CWAs. This work evaluated zirconium hydroxide-based sorptive substrates against HD, G-series, and VX simulants. Protective properties were evaluated for substrates both in powder form and once incorporated into a textile. Zirconium hydroxide powders of varying sizes were laminated onto textiles at different loading densities. Transport, permeation, sorption, and catalytic properties were evaluated for the zirconium-hydroxide based sorptive textiles and compared to a carbon-based sorptive textile. Sorptive performance of zirconium hydroxide-based powders and textiles were comparable to the carbon-based sorptive. Additionally, catalytic activity by zirconium hydroxide was observed against multiple CWAs in both dry and humidified environments. Transport properties varied to an extent with zirconium hydroxide particle size, but was largely influenced by choice of textile. Overall, zirconium hydroxide-based sorptive textiles were comparable to currently used carbon-based sorptive textiles, with the addition of catalytic activity. Zirconium hydroxide shows great promise in the use of protective textiles against CWAs.