This investigation delves into the development of cupric oxide functionalized activated carbon fabrics (ACF@CuO) as a filter material for self-decontaminating protective clothing designed to counter chem. warfare agents (CWAs).Three variants of samples were developed by controlling functionalization levels (7.5%, 13.0%, 16.0% weight/weight) through optimized precursor concentrations, integrating CuO particles onto ACF surfaces.Comprehensive anal. using techniques like FTIR, BET surface area, SEM, EDX, STEM, XRD, TGA, and XPS explored the material′s properties.The studies concentrated on evaluating the performance through kinetic studies of self-detoxification of CWA Sarin (GB) using developed ACF@CuO materials analyzed by Gas Chromatog.-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).ACF@CuO with 16% weight/weight functionalization exhibited superior self-decontamination against GB, achieving 92.87% efficiency within 18 h, in contrast to 26.55% for ACF alone.Addnl., materials were tested for tensile strength, air-permeability, and Sulfur Mustard breakthrough time (HDBTT) as per IS 17377:2020 standardThe material with 13% weight/weight functionalization emerged as the recommended filter layer for CWA protective clothing designed for defense and civilian safety applications.The significant improvements in the self-decontamination efficiency of the material were attributed to the synergistic effects of ACF′s adsorption capabilities combined with the decontamination properties of CuO rod-shaped crystals embedded in the surface of ACF.