Electrochemical Sensing of Explosives

Abstract

This article reviews recent advances in electrochemical sensing and detection of explosive substances. Escalating threats of terrorist activities and growing environmental concerns have generated major demands for innovative fielddeployable tools for detecting explosives in a fast, sensitive, reliable and simple manner. Field detection of explosive substances requires that a powerful analytical performance be coupled to miniaturized low-cost instrumentation. Electrochemical devices offer attractive opportunities for addressing the growing explosive sensing needs. The advantages of electrochemical systems include high sensitivity and selectivity, speed, a wide linear range, compatibility with modern microfabrication techniques, minimal space and power requirements, and low-cost instrumentation. The inherent electroactivity of nitroaromatic, nitramine and nitroester compounds makes them ideal candidates for electrochemical detection. Recent activity in various laboratories has led to the development of disposable sensor strips, novel electrode materials, submersible remote sensors, and electrochemical detectors for microchip (Lab-onChip) devices for on-site electrochemical detection of explosive substances. The attractive behavior of these electrochemical monitoring systems makes them very promising for addressing major security and environmental problems.

Trends in analysis of explosives by microchip electrophoresis and conventional CE

“…This paper will review the possibilities, opportunities, and challenges of developing mobile electrophoretic laboratory and portable lab-on-a-chip device for remote screening of explosives. I would like to point out three important complementary reviews: Readers with broad forensic analysis interests should note the review on recent advances in the applications of CE to forensic science by Tagliaro and Bortolotti [2] and by Brettell et al [3], while those with a specific interest in electrochemistry of explosives are encouraged to read the excellent review by Wang [4].…”

Double‐Layer Nanogold and Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer‐ Functionalized PVC Membrane Electrode for Enhanced Electrochemical Immunoassay of Total Prostate Specific Antigen

“…Since potentiometric immunosensors have high sensitivity and selectivity, low cost, small size, and ease in use, the potentiometric immunoassays play an ever-increasing role in immunosensors, which can provide capabilities of in vivo monitoring, free from color and turbid interferences [17]. Furthermore, the sensitivity of an electrochemical immu-nosensor for the detection of antigens with a very low concentration can be increased by control of the immobilized amount of antibodies on the sensor surface [18].…”

Advanced data acquisition for emerging nano-electrochemical sensors

“…Since then, with advances in technology, and the continuously growing demand to measure and monitor a raft of factors that impact our day to day lives, their applications have spread to environmental [2], security [3], medical sensing [4].…”