Sensor for Nerve Agents using Sol-Gel Chemistry

Presentation given by John C. DiCesare, Starr N. Horne, Jennifer Parker, Sireesh Boya, and Christopher J. Peeples at 39th Midwest Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Manhattan, KS.

Program

Development of a sensor capable of selective detection of specific nerve agents is imperative in today’s atmosphere of terrorism. The sensor needs to be inexpensive, portable, reliable, absent of false positives and available to all military and first responders. By utilizing the techniques of molecular imprinting, combinatorial chemistry, silica sol-gel synthesis and lanthanide luminescence, a sensor for the detection of nonpersistent nerve agents (Sarin) and persistent nerve agents (VX) are being developed. There are many parameters that require investigation in order for the sensor to become a reality. These parameters include 1) the selection of a chelate that can bind to the lanthanide and anchor the nerve agent simulant during the formation of the molecularly imprinted polymer, 2) the determination of the environment best suited for this complex formation, 3) the formation as well as modification of the silica sol-gel for molecular imprinting to take place and 4) the proper quantity and ratios of monomers used to create the three-dimensional imprint. Key to the success of optimizing these parameters is the development of a combinatorial assay that allows for the synthesis and testing of tens of thousands of combinations of parameters. Work on the development of the combinatorial assay has led to a method of preparing thin film polymers capable of analyzing the presence of nerve agent simulants.