SUMMARY

The final aim of this project is to design and elaborate self-decontaminating textiles able to decompose harmful chemicals namely warfare agents (CWA) by photocatalysis under day light, as well as indoor illumination.

This goal will be achieved through a hybrid system composed of an ultra-thin layer of chemically immobilised TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) on textiles fibres. Hybrid organic-inorganic nanostructured layers will be generated in-situ at low temperature, using environmentally friendly approaches and water or alcohol, as sole solvents.

Since no calcination treatment at high temperatures is required to activate the TiO₂ NPs, an easy implementation of the textile modification can be achieved anywhere without any sophisticated technology.

Prototypes of these smart textiles will be produced by SITEX, our industrial partner.

The tests of photodegradation of simulants and real CWAs molecules on the fabrics, in near Chemical War conditions, will be performed and developed by the different teams of the project, in association with the Portuguese Army and TNO (Netherlands), an OPCW authorized laboratory.

SFP-984842