Adsorption of simulants for chemical warfare agents on glass fibre reinforced nylon 6 studied by FTIR spectroscopy

The adsorption of vapours and liquids of triethyl phosphate (TEP), trimethyl phosphate (TMP), dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), dichlorophosphate (MDCP) and phosphorus(V) oxychloride (TCP) on glass fibre reinforced nylon 6 was studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The purpose of the experiment was to gain information on the mechanisms of adsorption of chemical warfare agents on nylon 6. The organophosphorus compounds were used to simulate chemical warfare agents, especially nerve agents and halogenated agents. The interactions between TEP, TMP and DMMP and the nylon 6 surface were weak. Adsorption of MDCP and TCP on nylon 6 lead to degradation of the nylon 6 material.