Agent Neutralization Studies III. Detoxification of VX in Aqueous Persulfate

摘要

Aqueous solutions of persulfate salts are frequently used to mineralize organicsubstrates in the course of total organic carbon analyses. A study has been conducted at the U.S. Army Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center to determine whether this approach may be useful to neutralize the nerve agent VX. VX was reacted with aqueous ammonium persulfate at 90 deg C and 70 deg C. The concentration of agent and the acidity of the mixture were varied. 31P-NMR was used to monitor the destruction of VX as well as the formation and degradation of the phosphorus-containing products. A titration procedure using ferrous sulfate and ceric ammonium nitrate was used to monitor the consumption of persulfate. The products formed and their stabilities were found to vary significantly with the acidity of the solution. Nuclear magnetic resonance, Oxidation, VX, Ammonium persulfate, Mineralization, Temperature effects, Chemical agent disposal.