Decontamination of Yperite using mesoporous mixed metal oxide nanocrystals

Mixed metal oxide nanocrystals of AP-Al(2)O(3), AP-Al(2)O(3)-Fe(2)O(3), AP-Al(2)O(3)-V(2)O(5) and AP-Al(2)O(3)-CuO have been prepared by aerogel process. XRD data of prepared materials revealed the formation of nanocrystals with a size range of 3-15 nm diameters. N(2) BET investigations on these materials revealed larger values of surface area ranging from 350 to 540 m(2)/g. Reactivity of these nanocrystalline materials against Yperite was examined by gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy techniques. AP-Al(2)O(3)-Fe(2)O(3), AP-Al(2)O(3)-V(2)O(5) and AP-Al(2)O(3)-CuO nanocrystals exhibited superior decontamination properties against Yperite than AP-Al(2)O(3). The reactions exhibited pseudo first order behaviour. 100% of Yperite was found to be decontaminated on Al(2)O(3)-Fe(2)O(3), Al(2)O(3)-V(2)O(5) and Al(2)O(3)-CuO where only 75% of the same was found to be decontaminated on AP-Al(2)O(3) within 40 h.