Dynamic Planar Solid Phase Microextraction−Ion Mobility Spectrometry for Rapid Field Air Sampling and Analysis of Illicit Drugs and Explosives

Abstract

A preconcentration device that targets the volatile chemical signatures associated with illicit drugs and explosives (high and low) has been designed to fit in the inlet of an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS). This is the first reporting of a fast and sensitive method for dynamic sampling of large volumes of air using planar solid phase microextraction (PSPME) incorporating a high surface area for absorption of analytes onto a sol-gel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating for direct thermal desorption into an IMS. This device affords high extraction efficiencies due to strong retention properties at ambient temperature, resulting in the detection of analyte concentrations in the parts per trillion range when as low as 3.5 L of air are sampled over the course of 10 s (absolute mass detection of less than a nanogram). Dynamic PSPME was used to sample the headspace over the following: 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) tablets resulting in the detection of 12-40 ng of piperonal, high explosives (Pentolite) resulting in the detection of 0.6 ng of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and low explosives (several smokeless powders) resulting in the detection of 26-35 ng of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) and 11-74 ng of diphenylamine (DPA).

Improved Dynamic Headspace Sampling and Detection using Capillary Microextraction of Volatiles Coupled to Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

“…So far, many preconcentration devices [22,23] have been developed to overcome the first challenge in headspace analysis and coupling the sampling devices to a gas chromatography -mass spectrometer (GC-MS) can help with the second challenge; however, restricted by the GC-MS injection port, the devices are limited in their shape, and therefore, surface area and phase volume. In the past few years, a novel preconcentration device was developed in the Almirall research group, planar solid phase microextraction (PSPME) [24,25], to achieve a larger surface area and phase volume [26], thus increasing the sampling throughput. A planar solid phase microextraction (PSPME) device has enlarged surface area and phase volume compared to the solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber resulted from the well-designed, but flexible geometry configuration.…”

“…A planar solid phase microextraction (PSPME) device has enlarged surface area and phase volume compared to the solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber resulted from the well-designed, but flexible geometry configuration. The devices are used for dynamic sampling by allowing air flow through the device to assist larger volume analysis [24] which have been shown to provide faster preconcentration with improved recovery [26].…”

A Novel Approach to Detect 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene/2,4,6-trinitrophenol Based on Fluorescence Quenching via Charge Transfer of Silicon Quantum Dots

“…为实现 TNT 及其代谢物的检测, 研究者已经发展 了一系列的分析方法与检测技术, 包括高效液相色谱 (HPLC) [6] 、气相色谱-质谱联用(GC-MS) [7] 、表面增强拉 曼光谱(SERS) [8,9] 、离子迁移质谱(IMS) [10] 等. 这些传统 的检测方法为 TNT 的检测提供了有力的手段, 但是这 些分析方法需要昂贵、精密的仪器, 复杂的样品前处理, 在紧急情况下, 很难满足现场监测的需求.…”

Exhaled Breath Analysis of Smokers Using CMV-GC/MS

“…The PSPME has demonstrated its absorption capabilities of illicit drugs and explosives by dynamic sampling [17]. The restructure of the PSPME filter into the CMV design allowed for the exploration of other applications additional to explosives and drugs.…”

“…The porous polymer fiber coating of the SPME is usually nonpolar PDMS because of its low cost and strong adhesion to the substrate [5]. The SPME fiber has small surface area of 9.4 x 10 -6 m 2 and a phase volume of 0.612 mm 3 [17]. The SPME technology offers rapid sampling, high resolution, and low detection limits for breath samples.…”