Chemical warfare agents (CWA) are rapidly decontaminated using a
hydrogen peroxide-based decontamination solution. In the weakly-basic
decontaminant (pH 8) – activated and buffered with bicarbonate, molybdate, and
citrate – nerve agents such as VX and GD undergo perhydrolysis
(OOH
$^{-}$
) whereas the blister agent HD is catalytically
oxidized, primarily, by tetraperoxomolybdate
[Mo(OO)
$_{4}^{2-}$
] to the non-vesicant sulfoxide. The
decontaminant, once mixed, exhibits remarkable stability, maintaining efficacy
(pot-life) for at least 12 h. On non-sorptive, non-porous surfaces such as
aluminum, the decontaminant decontaminates VX, GD, and HD to below acceptable
levels (i.e., < 0.078, 1.67, and 10.0 μg/cm
$^{2}$
, respectively).
