Novel gas absorbents for respirator applications

Filters for respiratory protective equipments (RPEs) are usually filled with impregnated activated carbons (IACs). Although these materials work well in adsorbing several classes of toxic gases, there is only about 20% of the active component present for reactive adsorption which results to bulky RPEs. The current proposal focuses on nanoporous materials that will be used as respirator materials directly, with no activated carbon support. These materials should make up of almost 100% active adsorbent material.The adsorbent material will be an agglomerate of one or more nanoporous materials with high gas adsorption capabilities for individual toxic gases. The resulting composite should be able to adsorb large quantities of toxic gases per unit volume or weight. The target outcome of this project is a TENFOLD reduction in cartridge size used in respirators for enhanced portability and ease of use. These materials will be utilized in respirator products worn by various groups which include emergency responders, industrial workers and soldiers.The study consists of three major activities: 1.) The facile preparation of one-component nanoporous gas adsorbent materials with optimized gas adsorption capabilities; 2.) Preparation of single or multi-component agglomerate gas adsorbents; and 3.) Physical characterization of the nanoporous gas adsorbent and the composites.This work should lead to new intellectual property and enhanced business opportunities for 3M Canada Co.