Separation of Explosives Using Capillary Electrochromatography

Abstract

The identification of explosives and their degradation products is important in forensic and environmental applications. Complete separation of these structurally similar compounds using reversed-phase liquid chromatography has proven to be a challenge. Here we present a demonstration of the use of capillary electrochromatography on the separation of a series of 14 nitroaromatic and nitramine explosive compounds. A separation with baseline resolution is achieved for all of the compounds in under 7 min, featuring efficiencies of over 500 000 theoretical plates/m. Using more aggressive running conditions, 13 of the 14 compounds are separated in under 2 min.

In-line coupling capillary electrochromatography with amperometric detection for analysis of explosive compounds

“…The amperometric detector was located 20 cm from the frit. Although the elution order was partly in agreement with the results of Bailey and Yan [11], particulary for HMX, RDX, TNB, DNB, and TNT, the elution time obtained in this study was significantly longer (Fig. 5A).…”

“…A series of experiments was first conducted using a mobile phase containing 20% methanol, 80% water, 10 mM MES, and 5 mM SDS because a somewhat similar separation medium (20% methanol and 80% water containing 8 mM MES and 4 mM SDS) together with a column of 30 cm total length (75 mm ID), with 17 cm packed with 1.5 mm nonporous octyldecylsilica particles (ODS or C18), was used effectively for the separation of 14 nitroaromatic and nitramine explosive compounds [11]. An impressive separation with baseline resolution was achieved for all of the explosive compounds in under 7 min with 500 000 theoretical plates/m.…”

“…In addition, the technique offers the choice of various stationary phases that are available in liquid chromatography. The separation of 14 explosives of method 8330 using CEC-UV detection equipped with 1.5 mm particles was recently demonstrated [11]. Baseline resolution was achieved for all 14 components in under 7 min.…”

The application of single particle aerosol mass spectrometry for the detection and identification of high explosives and chemical warfare agents

“…12 Explosives are commonly identified using colorimetry, 13 UV-absorption spectroscopy, 14,15 laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), 16,17 immunoassay, 18 ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), [19][20][21][22][23] and mass spectrometry (ion trap and time-of-flight (TOF)). [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] It should be noted that research into explosives detection is performed on gas, liquid, and/or solid phase explosives, and that the sampling methods and concepts of operation vary widely between the different techniques.…”

“…14,15 Bailey and Yan demonstrated this technique using detection at 254 nm for the analysis of EPA 8330. 15 Complete separation of the fourteen explosives with and without the use of a surfactant to maintain electroosmotic flow was reported. Oehrle demonstrated the analysis of fourteen explosives using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKCC) with direct UV absorption detection at several wavelengths.…”