Propylethylenediamine Decomposition in the Presence of Ag Nanoparticles in Silica-Gel Network

The mechanisms responsible for the extraction of methyl iodide (MeI) using well-known silver metal (Ag) or ion (Ag⁺) doped adsorbents are still under investigation regardless of their early application in filters and wet scrubbers for decontamination or safety concerns. In addition, in a previous published paper, it was estimated that gaseous wet MeI was bound to Ag nanoparticles, which are embedded into a propylethylenediamine (NH₂CH₂CH₂NHCH₂CH₂CH₂-, PEDA) anchored silica gel, by forming a complex that differs from silver iodide (AgI). Electron-beam irradiation (270 kGy), applied for Agnanoparticle production, caused the chain cleavage of propylethylenediamine in the silica-gel network to release some volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The introduced wet MeI can be entrapped in interstitial positions and can surround the Ag nanoparticles, the remaining organics, or the Ag NP-amine in a silica-gel network, and another MeI was found to bind to silanol groups (≡Si-OH) to form methoxy species, ≡Si-OMe, with the iodine leaving group (I^-) not being chemically detected.