Synthesis of MgO Nanoparticales and Identification of Their Destructive Reaction Products by 2-Chloroethyl Ethyl Sulfide

Nanocrystalline magnesium oxides were prepared by sol–gel method and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2-BET, SEM and infrared spectroscopy techniques. The results confirmed the formation of Nano- MgO materials with crystallite size in range of 5-20 nm and surface areas of 336-556m2/g. The product has been tested as destructive adsorbent for the decontamination of (2-chloroethyl) ethyl sulfide (2-CEES), a mimic of bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide(“HD” or Mustard Gas). Destructive adsorbent reaction has been carried out in heptanes and methanol media. The reaction was investigated by GC-FID and GC–MS techniques. Reaction rate in heptane has been observed to be higher than methanol. It seems a nonpolar media aided material transfer to the reactive surface sites without blocking them.