A smart nanotechnology approach for the development of intelligent safety high performance textiles and clothing against chemical warfare agents and pesticides – GraphTEX

Despite the international efforts aimed at regulating and lessening the use of environmentally toxic gas nerve agent, organophosphorus compounds(OP) are still used intensively as pest control agents and represent a serious threat for civilian populations in case of terrorist attack. The objectives of this multidisciplinary GraphTEX project is to develop innovative textiles endowed with catalytic hydrolytic properties against chemical warfare agents (tabun, sarin, VX,…), for the effective protection of soldiers, and civilians (accidentally) exposed to chemical weapons and pesticides. The scientific and technological innovations of GraphTEX reside in the conception of novel Multivalent Alpha-Nucleophilic Graphene (MANG), programmed to catalytically hydrolyse OP. Their challenging interfacing, processing and manipulation in large scale for the elaboration and production of novel “hydrolytic” textiles, will be investigated in collaboration with two private enterprises IFTH and TEXINOV. The valorization of these innovative researches should lead to the fabrication of protection clothing such as full combinaison for soldiers, gaz mask, and other specific protective equipments against OP compounds.
This multidisciplinary proposal will be realized with two academic research groups with complementary expertise and know-how, and two French private enterprises, IFTH and MDB TEXINOV. Its fits perfectly with the « DEFI 9: Liberté et Sécurité de l’Europe, de ses citoyens et de ses résidents » in the AXE 1 : Sécurité des citoyens, lutte contre le crime et le terrorisme.