Use of an ion mobility spectrometer for detecting uranium compounds

Abstract

The safeguards community currently lacks a method to rapidly determine the chemical form of radioactive and non-radioactive compounds in real time during inspection activities. Chemical speciation identification can provide important information on both the types of materials that are collected during environmental sampling and can inform inspectors as to where to focus efforts during inspections or complementary access visits. Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is an established field technique for the detection of explosives, narcotics, and other organic compounds. More recently, electrospray ionization (ESI) has been used to introduce inorganic compounds to IMS instruments for analysis. These techniques have shown the ability to supply chemical information on the compounds analyzed. Although these laboratory based instruments use a liquid-based injection system, there is evidence in the literature of unaltered and intact pharmaceutical tablets being volatilized and ionized in open atmosphere using heat and a Ni-63 source. This work determined that a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) IMS could be used for the identification of solid uranium compounds directly after sampling using a COTS sample swipe.

Large‐scale evaluation of ion mobility spectrometry for the rapid detection of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists in infused papers in prisons

“…Ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) and other rapid detection devices are established tools for the screening and preliminary identification of unknown substances in a security context, 26–29 particularly for the detection of trace levels of explosives and drugs within airports 30 . Analytes are introduced into the instrument on a sampling device (referred to as a sample trap) and are volatilized in a heated ionization chamber.…”

“…25 Those supplying SCRAs have attempted to circumvent this security measure by disguising the infused letters as legally privileged mail, often referred to as "Rule 39" mail in England and Wales 24 or simply as "Legal Mail" in Scotland, 25 which cannot be opened or read by prison staff. 24,25 Ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) and other rapid detection devices are established tools for the screening and preliminary identification of unknown substances in a security context, [26][27][28][29] particularly for the detection of trace levels of explosives and drugs within airports. 30 Analytes are introduced into the instrument on a sampling device (referred to as a sample trap) and are volatilized in a heated ionization chamber.…”

Rapid paper spray mass spectrometry characterization of uranium and exemplar molecular species

“…energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis), and mass spectrometry (e.g. multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and ion mobility spectrometry) . A shortcoming of current analytical paradigms is the lack of chemical information provided by these analyses.…”

“…In addition, chemical speciation is retained because ionization is “soft” and the sample is only solvated immediately prior to analysis, which minimizes the potential for in‐solution chemical transformations. Ion mobility spectrometry also uses a soft ionization source and can detect gas‐phase ions based on their mobility in a gas; however, the detection limits are typically lower than those for PSI‐MS, and the drift time needs to be calibrated or the drift tube coupled to a mass spectrometer . In addition, ion mobility spectrometry has not been used to identify whole‐molecule inorganic complexes with organic ligands, a method which is used to establish the intended use of a material for treaty verification .…”

“…Ion mobility spectrometry also uses a soft ionization source and can detect gas‐phase ions based on their mobility in a gas; however, the detection limits are typically lower than those for PSI‐MS, and the drift time needs to be calibrated or the drift tube coupled to a mass spectrometer . In addition, ion mobility spectrometry has not been used to identify whole‐molecule inorganic complexes with organic ligands, a method which is used to establish the intended use of a material for treaty verification . Compared with nanoelectrospray ionization, the internal energies of the ions generated through PSI are slightly lower, leading to better retention of molecular species…”