Study of TATP: Spontaneous Transformation of TATP to DADP

The temperature‐dependent sensing properties of metal‐oxide semiconductor gas sensors (MOX), based on SnO2 and WO3, to measure triacetone triperoxide (TATP), diacetone diperoxid (DADP), and di‐tert‐butyl‐peroxide (DTBP) and acetone are described. Conductivity measurements in the range from 100 to 400 °C operating temperature show two different reaction pathways on the surface for WO3 sensors. At temperatures below 150 °C organic peroxides react as an oxidizer which leads to an increase in the sensor resistance. Above 200 °C they react as a reducing agent that leads to a decrease of the sensor resistance. This effect is caused by two different, peroxide dependent reaction paths. The unique behavior of WO3‐based sensors can be used for selectivity enhancements in temperature cycle operation mode. With this method gas concentrations down to a few ppb are detectable. Scheme of TATP reacting on tungsten oxide semiconductor gas sensor. TATP decomposes and this leads to an increase of the sensor resistance at low temperatures and a decrease of resistance at high temperatures.

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“…TATP and DADP are prepared following the synthesis route of Matyás et al . Sulfuric acid (Merck, Germany) was used as catalyst.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of triacetone triperoxide using temperature cycled metal‐oxide semiconductor gas sensors

Warmer

Wagner

Schöning

et al. 2015

Physica Status Solidi (a)

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“…An important difference was also observed when TATP was moistened with alcohol rather than completely dissolved; some DADP formed with most acids used, but acid was applied in molar excess, which favors conversion of TATP to DADP. 8,13,14 When sulfuric and hydrochloric acids were at roughly the same molarity (65% and 36%, respectively); the decomposition of TATP occurred at about the same rate (Table 2).…”

Section: Decomposition Productsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Factors Influencing Destruction of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP)

Oxley

Smith

Brady

et al. 2013

Propellants Explo Pyrotec

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“…In some cases, GC-ECD analysis showed that TATP had been consumed, but DADP was present; it may be formed during TATP decomposition. 6 The ordering roughly follows their thermal stabilities. Since HMTD was the most easily destroyed in solution, it was the first candidate for solid peroxide destruction studies.…”

Section: Destruction Of Solid Peroxidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Destruction of Peroxide Explosives

Oxley

Smith

Huang

et al. 2009

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Chemicals containing multiple peroxide functionalities, such as triacetone triperoxide (TATP), diacetone diperoxide (DADP), or hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), can be explosive. They are impractical and are not used by legitimate military groups because they are shock and heat sensitive compared to military explosives. They are attractive to terrorists because synthesis is straightforward, requiring only a few easily obtained ingredients. This paper discusses methods to degrade peroxide explosives chemically, at room temperature. Of particular interest is finding an allliquid chemical solution that can be sprayed over solid peroxide "finds" or in which peroxide saturated materials could be immersed and the peroxide would be destroyed with no further handling. The desired chemical solution should destroy within hours either TATP or HMTD so that white illicit explosive would not require prior characterization. While a number of mixtures were found effective, strong acids proved the most useful against the solid peroxide materials; however, on a 8 g scale addition of less than 1 mL concentrated sulfuric acid caused TATP to detonate. Thus, this technique should only be used to destroy very small quantities. KEYWORDS: forensic science, peroxides, destruction, TATP, DADP, HMTD, hydrogen peroxide, explosives Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) may use conventional military explosives configured or re-configured for a particular application, or they can be homemade devices powered by explosives which are relatively easy to make. Device construction is based on material availability and the creator's knowledge and imagination. In the U.S., most bombings use small, smokeless or black powder devices because the bombs are being used as murder weapons and because these powders are not heavily regulated. In Iraq, bombs are larger because they are the weapons of guerilla warfare and military explosives in the form of mortars, artillery shells, and landmines are ubiquitous. In the past, one of the major difficulties in bomb design was acquisition of initiating explosives. These are essential to the bomb function but not readily made. Typically, they required theft or illegal purchase. The ready knowledge of how to prepare peroxide explosives has been a major boon to the would-be bomber. While explosive performance of peroxide explosives is poorer than TNT, the Internet provides recipes and bulletin boards of advice on how to prepare initiating explosives such as DADP, TATP, and HMTD, from readily acquired ingredients (Fig. 1). For law enforcement this has magnified the problems of detection and destruction.Currently, the safest way to dispose of illegal explosives is to blow-in-place. This procedure keeps law enforcement from handling and transporting these highly sensitive materials. However, because relatively small quantities of peroxide explosives are usually discovered and they are frequently found in apartments and other high-population density areas, blow-in-place protocols are impractical.One of the g...

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Study of TATP: Spontaneous Transformation of TATP to DADP

Cited by 27 publications

References 8 publications

Detection of triacetone triperoxide using temperature cycled metal‐oxide semiconductor gas sensors

Detection of triacetone triperoxide using temperature cycled metal‐oxide semiconductor gas sensors

Factors Influencing Destruction of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP)

Destruction of Peroxide Explosives

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