Destruction of Organophosphate Agents by Recyclable Catalytic Magnetic Nanoparticles

Abstract

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides and warfare agents are catalytically hydrolyzed in aqueous media by suspensions of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles modified with poly(1-vinylimidazole-co-acrolein oxime-co-acrylic acid). The oxime- and imidazole-modified magnetite particle serves as a nano-sized particulate carrier with nucleophilic groups immobilized on its surface. The oximemodified magnetite nanoparticles are colloidally stable within a wide pH range and are readily recovered for reuse from the aqueous milieu by high-gradient magnetic separation methods with no loss of catalytic activity.