Dye-modified silica–anatase nanoparticles for the ultrasensitive fluorogenic detection of the improvised explosive TATP in an air microfluidic device

Abstract

We describe the proof of concept of a portable testing setup for the detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP), a common component in improvised explosive devices, which will allow for field-testing...

Silica Nanoparticle/Fluorescent Dye Assembly Capable of Ultrasensitively Detecting Airborne Triacetone Triperoxide: Proof-of-Concept Detection of Improvised Explosive Devices in the Workroom

“…Then, the sensitivity of solid-supported naphthalimides was studied in the presence of gaseous traces of home-made explosive triacetone triperoxide, so the fluorogenic materials were capable of discriminate the presence and the nature of the most important oxygen-based home-made explosive, TATP. Having a previous experience in modified materials, ,,,,− we performed initial experiments by supporting the fluorescent probes on poly­(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), but the detection limits were not good enough. Instead, silica nanoparticles afforded much better results.…”

“…(a) Microfluidic device dimensions: Eppendorf: outer top diameter: 11 mm, inner top diameter: 9 mm, outer bottom diameter: 5 mm, inner bottom diameter: 3 mm, volume: 1.5 mL, height (with lid): 40 mm, height (without lid): 38 mm; tubing: outer diameter: 3 mm, inner diameter: 1.5 mm, length (flow tube): 25 mm, length (return tube:): 35 mm. (b) The actual aspect of the system; reproduced from ref with permission from the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS), Institute of Chemistry of Chinese Academy of Sciences (IC), and the Royal Society of Chemistry. (c) Fluorescence changes with TATP gas.…”

“…Our previous approaches consisted of solid fluorogenic sensors for the sensitive and selective detection of pristine TATP 45,46 or the microwave detection of wet-TATP, 47 both in the vapor phase, and the detection of TATP gas in an air microfluidic device. 48 After that, we have been looking for more selective and sensitive materials specifically tailored for the unambiguous detection of TATP traces in air. 49 For that purpose, we searched among solid-supported fluorescent dyes in which an oxidation event could modulate the aggregationinduced emission (AIE) characteristics of the dyes for the detection of oxidizing species.…”

“…Some characteristics such as sensitivity and selectivity are still not well addressed. Our previous approaches consisted of solid fluorogenic sensors for the sensitive and selective detection of pristine TATP , or the microwave detection of wet-TATP, both in the vapor phase, and the detection of TATP gas in an air microfluidic device . After that, we have been looking for more selective and sensitive materials specifically tailored for the unambiguous detection of TATP traces in air .…”

Tunnel junction sensing of TATP explosive at the single-molecule level

“…Lately, several nanotechnology-based solutions for the detection of TATP have been developed. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] They either detect TATP directly [12][13][14][16][17][18]20,21 or its precursors (hydrogen peroxide and acetone). 15,19 Only a couple of sensors offer contactless and continuous detection of TATP from the vapor phase.…”