Self-decontaminating layer-by-layer functionalized textiles based on WO3-modified titanate nanotubes. Application to the solar photocatalytic removal of chemical warfare agents

Self-decontaminating photocatalytic textiles functionalized by the layer-by-layer approach with high aspect ratio WO₃-modified titanate nanotubes have been developed and successfully used under solar light illumination for the photocatalytic degradation of organophosphorous and organosulfide chemical weapon agents. This multilayer building method, unlike both dipping and spray techniques, has been efficiently applied to textile substrates using polyethyleneimine as counter polyelectrolyte for homogeneously functionalizing textiles by a thin layer of a dense network of entangled WO₃-modified titanate nanotubes, and preparing self-decontaminating photocatalytic textiles highly efficient toward the removal under solar light of the yperite blister live agent and of dimethylmethylphosphonate as neurotoxic agent simulant. Solar light responsive high surface WO₃-modified titanate nanotubes were synthesized by hydro-thermally treating TiO₂ powder, with tungstate salt impregnation prior to the final calcination step.