Sun light assisted photocatalytic decontamination of sulfur mustard using ZnO nanoparticles

Sun light assisted photocatalytic decontamination of sulfur mustard (HD) was studied by using ZnO nanoparticles and the data was compared with those carried out in the presence of UVA and visible light radiation. In the presence of Sun light, 100% of HD was decontaminated in 12 h. Whereas, in the presence of UVA light 90%, and in visible light 80% of HD was decontaminated in 12 h. GC–MS data indicated the formation of thiodiglycol, hemisulfur mustard, divinyl sulfide, 2-chloro ethyl vinyl sulfide, etc., on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles in the case of dark and visible light irradiation experiments. However, in Sun light and UVA light irradiation experiments, GC–MS data indicated the formation of HD sulfoxide, HD sulfone, 1,3-dithiane, 2-chloro ethanol, acetaldehyde, carbon dioxide, etc. along with hydrolysis and elimination products. Under the illumination of visible light and in dark hydrolysis, elimination and surface complexation reactions have contributed to decontamination of HD. Whereas, in the presence of Sun light and UVA light, photocatalytic reactions like C–S bond cleavage, oxidation of C, S atoms were observed to have contributed to decontamination of HD in addition to hydrolysis and elimination reactions.

Graphical abstractSun light assisted photocatalytic decontamination of sulfur mustard (HD) was studied by using ZnO nanoparticles. In the presence of Sun light, 100% of HD was decontaminated in 12 h. It was found to be converted into non-toxic products like acetaldehyde, carbon dioxide, thiodiglycol, sulfur mustard sulfoxide, etc., due to photocatalysis facilitated by ZnO nanoparticles and Sun light thereby avoiding health hazards.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (203 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles of different sizes using sol gel method. ► Characterization of ZnO nanoparticles was done by XRD, IR, SEM and N2 BET analysis. ► Advantage of ZnO is that, it absorbs over a larger fraction of solar spectrum. ► ZnO nanoparticles exhibited better efficiency towards sulfur mustard in Sun light. ► Photocatalysis aided faster decontamination of sulfur mustard on nano ZnO.