Air filtration from sarin/air mixture by porous graphene-oxide membranes: a molecular dynamics study

Abstract

Sarin is a very lethal synthetic organophosphorated compound that inhibits the nervous system muscle control. Although not used as a chemical weapon anymore, it still worries the authorities regarding possible use by terrorists. Most of the studies about sarin are theoretical/computational due to its high lethality and are concentrated in its detection and degradation. Few studies are about air filtration from sarin gas. Here, the potential of graphene oxide-based membranes to filter air from sarin/air mixtures is investigated by classical molecular dynamics simulations. Membranes formed by one and two nanosheets of porous reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were considered. The passage of sarin and air molecules through these membranes from a highly concentrated region to an empty one, is evaluated as a function of temperature and sarin/air relative concentration. Sarin molecules are shown to be trapped by hydroxyl and carboxyl chemical groups in the nanosheet, while a considerable passage of air molecules (N$_2$, O$_2$ and Ar) through the membranes was verified. The results show the capacity of the rGO membranes to retain sarin from passing through, even at high temperatures, thus indicating their potential to be used as a filter for sarin gas.