A material that acts as a physical barrier and an active destructive matrix against chemical warfare agents is vital to military operations in chemically contaminated environments. Our research into active topical skin protectants (aTSPs) identified nanomaterials as a promising class of reactive moieties. We determined the efficacy of aTSPs against sulfur mustard (HD) and soman (GD). Using a penetration cell, we determined the cumulative amount of agent that penetrates the aTSP. Proof of neutralization of these materials was obtained using two assays: headspace GC/MS and one- and two-dimensional NMR. Both organic and inorganic nanomaterials showed efficacy against GD and/or HD. Relative to the inactive base cream, incorporation of nanomaterials into the aTSPs resulted in a 99.6% reduction of both GD and HD vapor after 20 hours. None of these nanomaterials, however, passed the initial in vivo testing with HD vapor.
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