Design of Atomically Dispersed Metals on Oxides as Catalysts for Oxidative Decomposition of Chemical Warfare Agents

Facile decomposition and neutralization of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) under ambient conditions is a major challenge in the modern world. Recent events have demonstrated that there is an unmet need to better protect soldiers using personal protective ensembles that neutralize or destroy CWAs under ambient conditions. To achieve the goal of efficient CWA destruction under ambient conditions, new highly efficient catalysts are required. Our aim is to develop principles for designing new materials comprised of highly dispersed metal atoms, including single atoms, supported on metal oxides as catalysts for efficient oxidative decomposition of CWAs under ambient conditions. Our objective is to develop principles for predicting which metal/metal oxide combinations form stable and reactive catalysts. The role of charge transfer from the oxide to the dispersed metal centers on stability, oxophilicity and activity will specifically be studied. This strategy has the potential for development of catalysts with high reactivity under moderate, ambient conditions by exploiting the high reactivity of open coordination sites on highly dispersed metal centers.