Adsorption of Methyl Acetate on Zirconium (IV) Hydroxide
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry | Physical Chemistry
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The adsorption and chemisorption of methyl acetate on zirconium (IV) hydroxide were measured by gas cell Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, using methyl acetate as an analogue of chemical warfare agents (CWA) and toxic industrial waste (TIW), to reduce impact. Liquid methyl acetate was chilled to -14˚C and 1.0 cc nitrogen gas was bubbled through to dilute the vapor. The nitrogen gas vapor mixture was flowed over 0.100 grams of zirconium (IV) hydroxide over a period of 10 hours, and the produced vapor from the reaction was then analyzed using an FTIR gas cell. Infrared Gas Cell Absorption spectra peaks were integrated during the adsorption and chemisorption of methyl acetate on zirconium (IV) hydroxide. The carbonyl function group FTIR peak of methyl acetate vapor is used in conjunction with the molar absorptivity constant to quantitatively access the rate of reaction over an extended time frame. While results are not definite, the data points to the viability of the substrate as a practical adsorbent of dangerous compounds. As the adsorption of the compound by the metal hydroxide behaves in an analogous mechanism to chemical warfare agents, such as the chemical Sarin, the rate of saturation is used to predict the feasibility of zirconium (IV) hydroxide as a remediation method of objects exposed to toxicants.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Chemistry and Biochemistry
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Mark B. Mitchell
Adsorption of Methyl Acetate on Zirconium (IV) Hydroxide
The adsorption and chemisorption of methyl acetate on zirconium (IV) hydroxide were measured by gas cell Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, using methyl acetate as an analogue of chemical warfare agents (CWA) and toxic industrial waste (TIW), to reduce impact. Liquid methyl acetate was chilled to -14˚C and 1.0 cc nitrogen gas was bubbled through to dilute the vapor. The nitrogen gas vapor mixture was flowed over 0.100 grams of zirconium (IV) hydroxide over a period of 10 hours, and the produced vapor from the reaction was then analyzed using an FTIR gas cell. Infrared Gas Cell Absorption spectra peaks were integrated during the adsorption and chemisorption of methyl acetate on zirconium (IV) hydroxide. The carbonyl function group FTIR peak of methyl acetate vapor is used in conjunction with the molar absorptivity constant to quantitatively access the rate of reaction over an extended time frame. While results are not definite, the data points to the viability of the substrate as a practical adsorbent of dangerous compounds. As the adsorption of the compound by the metal hydroxide behaves in an analogous mechanism to chemical warfare agents, such as the chemical Sarin, the rate of saturation is used to predict the feasibility of zirconium (IV) hydroxide as a remediation method of objects exposed to toxicants.