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Transparent Conductive Composites (TCCs) |
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For many years countries have used many kinds of explosives for different purposes, but especially for military purposes. One of the most commonly used military explosives during the World Wars was 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), which is highly stable but very toxic compound. People who were exposed or have come in contact with TNT over long periods of time have suffered severe anemia, abnormal liver function, nausea and constipation, dermatitis, women experienced changes in menstruation, men suffered infertility and others have died. The EPA has listed the TNT as a possible human carcinogen, gave it the designation of hazardous waste and has recommended its removal. |
Schematic of TCC materials architecture |
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This research involves to construct new transparent conductive composite (TCC) nanofilms that could detect TNT or any of its metabolites in soils and/or groundwater. The TCC’s films can be made of organic or inorganic materials and also of structured nano-particles. Depending on the application of the TCC film, which in this case would be used as a sensor, the mixture of materials can be adjusted to obtain the desired chemical, mechanical, optical and electrical properties. Our main objective would be to search for more information about TNT, its metabolites and reaction byproducts, once we understand their characteristics, we will search for information or experimentally investigate possible reactions that TNT or its byproducts creates with our materials, the next step would be to develop a TCC film that should react the same way as the first time with TNT or any of its compounds but this time the TCC film will generate a signal which could be a physical, chemical, optical or electrical signal that will allow us to determine if the compound detected is or was TNT. This research will contribute to understand the following phenomena: - Sensing species from TNT side reactions (i.e., nitramines) to detect its presence and concentration in colloidal environments. - Identifying deposition rates of minerals on TCCs as function of pressure on materials’ surfaces as it happens in biofouling and underwater devices to monitor ocean behavior, one can predict the life time of the sensor and effectiveness of the signal with respect to the conditions of the colloidal media. |
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