Photosensitive dyes and self-detoxifying textiles: Degradation products and dye durability

The photochemical destruction of 2-(phenylthio)ethanol, a benign model for the toxic chemical, sulphur mustard, was investigated in both aqueous solution, and on a textile substrate. In both cases the first formed product was the sulphoxide, 2-(phenylsulphinyl)ethanol. Increasing the concentration of sensitiser did not necessarily lead to an increase in the rate of destruction of sulphide; which is attributed to the self-quenching of the reaction in the presence of higher concentrations of Rose Bengal. The oxidation of sulphide was more efficient on nylon fabric that had been dyed with Rose Bengal, than in aqueous solution; however, a significant quantity of sulphone was also formed on the fabric. The dyed fabric could be used repeatedly to destroy the model sulphide, although the Rose Bengal itself was gradually destroyed, but at a much slower rate than the model sulphide. The ability for the fabric dyed with Rose Bengal to destroy a biological organism was also demonstrated.