Catalyzed destructive adsorption of environmental toxins with nanocrystalline metal oxides. Fluoro-, chloro-, bromocarbons, sulfur, and organophosophorus compounds.

In the temperature range of 300-500 degrees C, solid nanocrystalline oxides react nearly stoichiometrically with numerous halocarbons, sulfur, and organophosphorus compounds. In some cases, the reaction efficiencies can be improved by the presence of a small amount of transition-metal oxide as catalyst; for example, Fe2O3 on CaO and mobile intermediate species such as FeCl3 or Fe(SO3)x are important in the catalytic process. Herein, a series of environmentally problematic compounds are discussed, including CCl4, COS, CS2, C2Cl4, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CH3Cl, and (CH3O)2P(O)CH3.

Nanoscale powders and formulations with biocidal activity toward spores and vegetative cells of bacillus species, viruses, and toxins.

Certain formulations of nanoscale powders possess antimicrobial properties. These formulations are made of simple, nontoxic metal oxides such as magnesium oxide (MgO) and calcium oxide (CaO, lime) in nanocrystalline form, carrying active forms of halogens, for example, MgO. Cl2 and MgO.