Rapid Quantitative Analysis of Multiple Explosive Compound Classes on a Single Instrument via Flow‐Injection Analysis Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A flow-injection analysis tandem mass spectrometry (FIA MSMS) method was developed for rapid quantitative analysis of 10 different inorganic and organic explosives. Performance is optimized by tailoring the ionization method (APCI/ESI), de-clustering potentials, and collision energies for each specific analyte. In doing so, a single instrument can be used to detect urea nitrate, potassium chlorate, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine, triacetone triperoxide, hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine, nitroglycerin, and octohy-dro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine with sensitivities all in the picogram per milliliter range. In conclusion, FIA APCI/ESI MSMS is a fast (<1 min/sample), sensitive (~pg/mL LOQ), and precise (intraday RSD < 10%) method for trace explosive detection that can play an important role in criminal and attributional forensics, counterterrorism, and environmental protection areas, and has the potential to augment or replace several of the existing explosive detection methods.

Detection of Multiple Nitroaromatic Explosives via Formation of a Janowsky Complex and SERS

“…The limit of detection established for TNT using 3 times the standard deviation of the blank divided by the gradient of the straight line was found to be 6.81 ng/mL, which is comparable to the detection limits of already established techniques such as mass spectrometry and colorimetry . At trace-level concentrations, such as those shown in Figure , the complex displays a very strong band at 1516 cm –1 thought to be due to aromatic ring breathing C–H modes from the TNT molecule.…”

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

“…7−11 Indeed, the most advanced spectroscopy devices are very sensitive and selective to identify the chemicals used in IEDs, but they are typically too heavy for portable devices and too much expensive for widespread use. 12 The cheap technology of the cotton swab 13 requires physical access to the substance that might be hidden or not easily accessible. There is a long tradition of the use of animals in the detection of explosives, particularly trained dogs, 14 but some explosives without a characteristic smell go undetected by animals.…”

“…A major threat in modern society is constituted by the so-called improvised explosive devices (IEDs). − The explosives contained in IEDs were commonly used in war scenarios but some years ago they were also used in situations of everyday life, therefore constituting a threat to the lives of countless people. Methods for the quick detection of explosive devices are needed before they cause damage, but there are very few methods for the detection of some explosives used in IEDs. − Indeed, the most advanced spectroscopy devices are very sensitive and selective to identify the chemicals used in IEDs, but they are typically too heavy for portable devices and too much expensive for widespread use . The cheap technology of the cotton swab requires physical access to the substance that might be hidden or not easily accessible.…”

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

“…Albeit methods for the quick detection of explosive devices are needed, before they cause damage, there are very few methods for the detection of some explosives used in IEDs. [7][8][9][10][11] The foremost advanced spectroscopy devices are indeed sensitive and selective for the purpose of identify this kind of chemicals but they are expensive and usually too heavy for portable devices 12 and the technology of the cotton swab 13 requires physical access to the substance that might be not accessible. The use of animals in the detection of explosives has also a long tradition 14 but for some explosives are less reliable.…”