Degradation of TNT, RDX, and TATP using microscale mechanically alloyed bimetals.

Rebecca Fidler, Tamra Legron, Kathleen M. Carvalho-Knighton, Cherie L. Geiger, Michael E. Sigman, Christian A. Clausen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Microscale mechanically alloyed bimetals, particularly Mg/Pd, are being explored as alternative remediation methods for the catalytic reduction of energetic materials triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a peroxide explosive, and environmental contaminants: trinitrotoluene (TNT), and cyclo-trimethylenetrinitramine (RDX). TNT and RDX have been found to contaminate soil and water near industrial production sites, therefore a method for rapid and cost effective remediation is needed. Mg/Pd, as well as other bimetals, Fe/Ni, and Fe/Pd, were shown to reduce TNT and RDX contamination in water samples with varying reactivities. For the degradation of TNT using the microscale mechanically alloyed bimetals, the normalized rate constants obtained were 5.6 x 10 -4 , 5.0 x 10 -3 , and 2.7 x 10 -4 L g -1 min -1 for Mg/Pd, Fe/Pd, and Fe/Ni, respectively. The normalized rate constants for the degradation of RDX obtained from the vial studies were as follows 1.5 x 10 -4 , 4.4 x 10 -5 , and 3.2 x 10 -5 L g -1 min -1 for Mg/Pd, Fe/Pd, and Fe/Ni, respectively. Another explosive that has become more prevalent is triacetone triperoxide (TATP). TATP although not environmentally recalcitrant has proved difficult to treat due to its sensitivity to heat and friction. Mechanically alloyed Mg/Pd was shown to degrade TATP in a methanol and water solution with a normalized rate constant of 1.2 x 10 -3 L g -1 min -1 , and acetone was observed as the major product.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationDegradation of TNT, RDX, and TATP using microscale mechanically alloyed bimetals.
StatePublished - Jan 1 2009

Disciplines

  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry

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