N-chloro hydantoin functionalized polyurethane fibers toward protective cloth against chemical warfare agents

Polyurethane nanofibers functionalized by high amount of N-chloro hydantoin were prepared for the decontamination of chemical warfare agents. Azido-polyurethane was firstly synthesized using azido-polydiol with 4,4′-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) and 1,4-butanediol via step-addition polymerization. Hydantoin was introduced into the polyurethane via click reaction, followed by electrospinning and chlorination to obtain the decontaminable fibers. This N-chlorinated hydantoin-polyurethane fiber is an active decontaminable species for 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide and demeton-S-methyl, the simulant of chemical warfare agent. The decontamination efficiency of each exhibits 69% and 16% for 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide and demeton-S-methyl, respectively, with molar ratio of 1/1 for 2 h at ambient condition. This N-chlorinated hydantoin-polyurethane fiber exhibited considerable potential as the decontaminable material against toxic chemical warfare agents. N-chloro hydantoin functionalized polyurethane fibers synthesized from hydantoin functionalization of azido-polyurethane, electrospinning and chlorination can decontaminate the chemical warfare agents. [Display omitted] •Polyurethane nanofibers functionalized by high amount of N-chloro hydantoin were prepared.•Nanofiber web is an active for decontamination of CEES and demeton-S-methyl.•Relatively high decontamination efficiency can be obtained using nanofiber web.•With great processibility of this polyurethane, it can be extended to actual army cloth.