Destruction of Organophosphate Agents by Recyclable Catalytic Magnetic Nanoparticles

Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides and warfare agents are catalytically hydrolyzed in aqueous media by suspensions of magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles modified with poly(1-vinylimidazole-co-acrolein oxime-co-acrylic acid). The oxime- and imidazole-modified magnetite particle serves as a nano-sized particulate carrier with nucleophilic groups immobilized on its surface. The oxime-modified magnetite nanoparticles are colloidally stable within a wide pH range and are readily recovered for reuse from the aqueous milieu by high-gradient magnetic separation methods with no loss of catalytic activity.