Performance evaluation of activated carbon fabrics for protection against chemical warfare agents in protective clothing

Abstract

Activated carbon fabric (ACF) is a functional material designed for the adsorption of toxic chemicals, including chemical warfare agents (CWAs). It offers a combination of high surface area, well-developed pore structure, flexibility, and breathability, making it suitable for use in chemical protective clothing. This study evaluates and compares the performance of indigenously developed ACF vis-a-vis commercially available imported ACFs, focusing on physical attributes such as tensile strength, tear strength, air permeability, and surface area, as well as chemical characteristics including adsorption and permeation efficiency. The indigenous ACF with an areal density of 182 g/m² demonstrated superior mechanical properties, with tensile strengths of 34.83 Kgf (warp) and 13.41 Kgf (weft), and tear strengths of 3.67 Kgf (warp) and 2.18 Kgf (weft) while maintaining competitive adsorption performance, with BET surface area of 975.77 m²/g. Chemical protective clothing composite materials designed by using different ACFs were evaluated using qualitative Sulfur Mustard (HD) breakthrough time (HD-BTT) test, as per IS 17377: 2020, as well as quantitative liquid CWA challenge test in static diffusion mode using innovatively developed test apparatus and method to evaluate the protection factor mimicking realistic conditions. The results showed that the indigenous ACF-based protective clothing material provided more than 48 h of HD-BTT protection. In the liquid CWA challenge test, the indigenous ACF-based clothing demonstrated excellent protection, with protection factors of 99.44 % against Sarin (GB), 99.73 % against Sulfur Mustard (HD), and 100 % against VX, which are comparable to commercial ACF-based clothing materials. These findings underscore the potential of indigenously developed ACF as a cost-effective solution for high-performance chemical protective clothing in armed forces, paramilitary forces, and civilian applications.