Novel composite membranes with poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene-g-diallylmelamine) (PVA-co-PE-g-DAM) nanofibers layered on poly(propylene-g-diallylmelamine) (PP-g-DAM) meltblown nonwoven fabric were successfully developed as lightweight and breathable protective materials with chemical and biological decontamination functions. By controlling levels of coated nanofibers, three nanofibrous membranes with similar surface morphology, hydrophilicity and transport properties were prepared. The N-halamine precursor moieties in the membrane matrices can be converted to active N-halamine structures with a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution, and the active chlorine content on the membranes is rechargeable and durable. The chlorinated nanofibrous membranes demonstrated very powerful and rapid biocidal effects against both E. coli and S. aureus by contact, as well as excellent disinfection effect to wet bacterial penetration through the membrane. Furthermore, the efficient chemical detoxification functions of the halamine nanofibrous membranes were also observed by a total decontamination of aldicarb, a carbamate pesticide, within 30 min. These PVA-co-PE-g-DAM nanofiber composite membranes can serve as ideal ultra-light filtering media for chemical and biological protective clothing materials.

Abstract. Thermal manikin tests were performed on selected protective garments to assess their heat transfer properties during exposure to infrared heat radiation. Comparing a newly developed Infrared (IR) Heat Radiation attenuatuion vest with a standard winter jacket, it could be seen that that the IR Vest provided a thermal comfort benefit above a heat radiation exposure level of 150 Watts while the winter jacket provided a thermal benefit above a 450 Watt heat radiation exposure level. The study identified important temperature cross-over points which define the thermodynamic properties and also characterize the heat radiation attenuation and heat insulation properties of garments. The evaluation method is seen as a new design tool for optimizing garment comfort and safety.