| abstract |
Improved area decontamination products and methods of use thereof are provided which include reactive nanoparticles (e.g., metal oxides, hydroxides and mixtures thereof) with one or more biocides and a liquid carrier for the nanoparticles and biocide(s). The products may be formulated for area decontamination as sprays, fogs, aerosols, pastes, gels, wipes or foams, and the presence of reactive nanoparticles enhances the neutralization of undesirable chemical or biological compounds or agents. The nanoparticles may be from the group consisting of the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, actinide and lanthanide oxides and hydroxides and mixtures thereof. In preferred forms, nanocrystalline oxides and hydroxides of Al, Ca, Ce, Mg, Sr, Sn, Ti and Zn are employed having single crystallite sizes of up to about 20 nm and surface areas of at least about 15 m2/g. |