High-throughput walkthrough detection portal for counter terrorism: detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) vapor by atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry

With the aim of improving security, a high‐throughput portal system for detecting triacetone triperoxide (TATP) vapor emitted from passengers and luggage was developed. The portal system consists of a push‐pull air sampler, an atmospheric‐pressure chemical ionization (APCI) ion source, and an explosives detector based on mass spectrometry. To improve the sensitivity of the explosives detector, a novel linear ion trap mass spectrometer with wire electrodes (wire‐LIT) is installed in the portal system. TATP signals were clearly obtained 2 s after the subject under detection passed through the portal system. Preliminary results on sensitivity and throughput show that the portal system is a useful tool for preventing the use of TATP‐based improvised explosive devices by screening persons in places where many people are coming and going. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fingerprinting postblast explosive residues by portable capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection

A portable capillary electrophoretic system with contactless conductivity detection was used for fingerprint analysis of postblast explosive residues from commercial organic and improvised inorganic explosives on various surfaces (sand, concrete, metal witness plates). Simple extraction methods were developed for each of the surfaces for subsequent simultaneous capillary electrophoretic analysis of anions and cations. Dual‐opposite end injection principle was used for fast (<4 min) separation of 10 common anions and cations from postblast residues using an optimized separation electrolyte composed of 20 mM MES, 20 mM l ‐histidine, 30 μM CTAB and 2 mM 18‐crown‐6. The concentrations of all ions obtained from the electropherograms were subjected to principal component analysis to classify the tested explosives on all tested surfaces, resulting in distinct cluster formations that could be used to verify (each) type of the explosive.     

Rapid screening of explosives in ambient environment by aerodynamic assisted thermo desorption mass spectrometry

Rapid, direct, and trace detection of explosives in an open environment is of particular need in homeland and/or transportation security. In this work, an aerodynamic assisted thermo desorption mass spectrometry method was developed for the direct quantitative analyses of explosives from a distance. Remote non‐volatile explosive sensing was achieved for 2, 4, 6‐trinitrotoluene, trinitrohexahydro‐1, 3, 5‐triazine, 8701 (main ingredient: RDX 98.5%), and C4 (a type of plastic explosive) with a distance of 0.65 m. Furthermore, a close to 324 cm² effective sampling area could be achieved, and the limits of detection are in the ng range. This device can be deployed in airports and subway stations for high‐throughput and automatic luggage/personnel screening of prohibited articles, such as explosives and illicit drugs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A platform for on-site environmental analysis of explosives using high performance liquid chromatography with UV absorbance and photo-assisted electrochemical detection

High-performance liquid chromatography with photo-assisted electrochemical detection (HPLC-PAED) is used in conjunction with ultraviolet absorbance (UV) detection for determining explosives in environmental samples. The system utilizes an on-line solid-phase extraction technique for sample pretreatment (i.e., fractionation and concentration), thus reducing the required ground water sample size from 1 L to 2 mL and minimizing sample handling. Limits of detection for explosives using solid-phase extraction and PAED range from 0.0007 to 0.4 μg/L, well below those achieved with UV detection for several important explosives (e.g., RDX). The method has demonstrated good accuracy, precision, and recovery for all tested explosives, thus proving that the method is suitable for evaluation of explosives in ground water with competitive advantages over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 8330. A system adaptable for the on-site environmental analysis of explosives has been developed and validated.     

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for detection of explosives residues: a review of recent advances, challenges, and future prospects

In this review we discuss the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to the problem of detection of residues of explosives. Research in this area presented in open literature is reviewed. Both laboratory and field-tested standoff LIBS instruments have been used to detect explosive materials. Recent advances in instrumentation and data analysis techniques are discussed, including the use of double-pulse LIBS to reduce air entrainment in the analytical plasma and the application of advanced chemometric techniques such as partial least-squares discriminant analysis to discriminate between residues of explosives and non-explosives on various surfaces. A number of challenges associated with detection of explosives residues using LIBS have been identified, along with their possible solutions. Several groups have investigated methods for improving the sensitivity and selectivity of LIBS for detection of explosives, including the use of femtosecond-pulse lasers, supplemental enhancement of the laser-induced plasma emission, and complementary orthogonal techniques. Despite the associated challenges, researchers have demonstrated the tremendous potential of LIBS for real-time detection of explosives residues at standoff distances. Figure This review discusses the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to the problem of explosive residue detection. LIBS offers the capability for real-time, standoff detection of trace amounts of residue explosives on various surfaces     

Explosive detection using a novel dielectric barrier discharge ionisation source for mass spectrometry

The detection of explosives is of great importance, as is the need for sensitive, reliable techniques that require little or no sample preparation and short run times for high throughput analysis. In this work, a novel ionisation source is presented based on a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). This not only affects desorption and ionisation but also forms an ionic wind, providing mass transportation of ions towards the mass spectrometer. Furthermore, the design incorporates 2 asymmetric alumina sheets, each containing 3 DBDs, so that a large surface area can be analysed. The DBD operates in ambient air, overcoming the limitation of other plasma‐based techniques which typically analyse smaller surface areas and require solvents or gases. A range of explosives across 4 different functional groups was analysed using the DBD with low limits of detection for cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) (100 pg), pentaerythritol trinitrate (PETN) (100 pg), hexamethylene triperoxide diamide (HMTD) (1 ng), and trinitrotoluene (TNT) (5 ng). Detection was achieved without any sample preparation or the addition of reagents to facilitate adduct formation.     

Recent methods for the determination of peroxide-based explosives

In the last few years, the need to determine peroxide-based explosives in solid samples and air samples has resulted in the development of a series of new analytical methods for triacetonetriperoxide (TATP, acetone peroxide) and hexamethylenetriperoxidediamine (HMTD). In this review, after a short introduction describing the state of the art in the field, these new analytical methods are critically discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods as well as on chromatographic techniques with selective detection schemes. The potential of these methods to analyse unknown solid samples that might contain one or more of the explosives and to analyse peroxide-based explosives in air is evaluated.     

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of explosives using alternating current corona discharge ion source

The high‐sensitive detection of explosives is of great importance for social security and safety. In this work, the ion source for atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/mass spectrometry using alternating current corona discharge was newly designed for the analysis of explosives. An electromolded fine capillary with 115 µm inner diameter and 12 mm long was used for the inlet of the mass spectrometer. The flow rate of air through this capillary was 41 ml/min. Stable corona discharge could be maintained with the position of the discharge needle tip as close as 1 mm to the inlet capillary without causing the arc discharge. Explosives dissolved in 0.5 µl methanol were injected to the ion source. The limits of detection for five explosives with 50 pg or lower were achieved. In the ion/molecule reactions of trinitrotoluene (TNT), the discharge products of NO_x^? (x = 2,3), O₃ and HNO₃ originating from plasma‐excited air were suggested to contribute to the formation of [TNT ? H]^? (m/z 226), [TNT ? NO]^? (m/z 197) and [TNT ? NO + HNO₃]^? (m/z 260), respectively. Formation processes of these ions were traced by density functional theory calculations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coupled reversed-phase and ion chromatographic system for the simultaneous identification of inorganic and organic explosives

There are many methods available to detect and positively identify either organic or inorganic explosives separately, however no one method has been developed which can detect both types of explosive species simultaneously from a single sample. In this work, a unique coupled-chromatographic system is reported for the simultaneous determination of both organic and inorganic explosive species and is used for pre-blast analysis/identification purposes. This novel approach is based on the combination of reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and ion chromatography which allows trace levels of organic and inorganic explosives to be determined simultaneously from a single sample. Using this procedure, a 20 min reversed-phase separation of organic explosives is coupled to a 16 min ion-exchange separation of anions present in inorganic explosives, providing a complete pre-blast analysis/identification system for the separation and detection of a complex mixture containing organic and/or inorganic explosive species. The total analysis time, including sufficient column re-equilibration between runs, was <25 min using the coupled system. By this method, the minimum resolution for the organic separation was 1.16 between nitroglycerin and tetryl and the detection limits ranged from 0.31 mg L(-1) for cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) and 1.54 mg L(-1) for pentaerythrite tetranitrate (PETN), while the minimum resolution for the inorganic separation was 0.99 between azide and nitrate, and the detection limits ranged from 7.70 μg L(-1) for fluoride and 159.50 μg L(-1) for benzoate.     

Identification of volatile chemical signatures from plastic explosives by SPME-GC/MS and detection by ion mobility spectrometry

This study demonstrates the use of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) to extract and pre-concentrate volatile signatures from static air above plastic explosive samples followed by detection using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) optimized to detect the volatile, non-energetic components rather than the energetic materials. Currently, sample collection for detection by commercial IMS analyzers is conducted through swiping of suspected surfaces for explosive particles and vapor sampling. The first method is not suitable for sampling inside large volume areas, and the latter method is not effective because the low vapor pressure of some explosives such as RDX and PETN make them not readily available in the air for headspace sampling under ambient conditions. For the first time, headspace sampling and detection of Detasheet, Semtex H, and C-4 is reported using SPME-IMS operating under one universal setting with limits of detection ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 ng for the target volatile signatures. The target signature compounds n-butyl acetate and the taggant DMNB are associated with untagged and tagged Detasheet explosives, respectively. Cyclohexanone and DMNB are associated with tagged C-4 explosives. DMNB is associated with tagged Semtex H explosives. Within 10 to 60 s of sampling, the headspace inside a glass vial containing 1 g of explosive, more than 20 ng of the target signatures can be extracted by the SPME fiber followed by IMS detection.     

Sensitive Voltammetric Sensing of the 2,3‐Dimethyl‐2,3‐dinitrobutane (Dmnb) Explosive Taggant

The highly sensitive voltammetric detection of the 2,3‐dimethyl‐2,3‐dinitrobutane (DMNB), a required additive to commercial plastic explosives, is described. The protocol relies on a fast square‐wave voltammetric measurement of the DMNB explosive taggant at an unmodified carbon fiber electrode using a phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) solution. Different solutions and working electrodes were evaluated. Under the optimal conditions, a linear response is observed over the 300–3000 μg/L DMNB concentration range examined, with a detection limit of 60 μg/L. A highly stable response, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.6%, is observed for 30 repetitive measurements. Such electrochemical approach offers great promise for a simple, rapid, sensitive and inexpensive field screening of plastic explosives. Preliminary data illustrate the utility of electrochemical detection for electrophoretic microchips for the simultaneous measurements of DMNB, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) and pentaerythritoltetranitrate (PETN).     

In Situ Explosive Detection Using a Miniature Plasma Ion Source and a Portable Mass Spectrometer

A small low-temperature plasma (LTP) ionization probe was coupled to a portable mass spectrometer for the rapid detection of trace explosives on surfaces. Using only a small diaphragm pump to supply ambient air to the LTP source, 100 ng each of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), and 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (Tetryl) were detectable on glass in under 1 minute. The main ion signal from these molecules (M) is the [M + NO₃]^? species. While much optimization remains, it is believed that this miniature LTP source will remove the need for external gas cylinders and additional heating for in situ explosives detection using portable mass spectrometers.     

A Rapid and Efficient Way to Dynamic Creation of Cross‐Reactive Sensor Arrays Based on Ionic Liquids

Based on the simple counterion exchange of ionic liquids, a rapid, facile, and efficient strategy to create a cross‐reactive sensor array with a dynamic tunable feature was developed, and exemplified by the construction of a sensor array for the identification and classification of nitroaromatics and explosives mimics. To achieve a good sensing system with fast response, good sensitivity, and low detection limit, the synthesized ionic liquid receptors were tethered onto a silica matrix with a macro‐mesoporous hierarchical structure. Through the facile anion exchange approach, abundant ionic‐liquid‐based individual receptors with diversiform properties, such as different micro‐environments, diverse molecular interactions, and distinctive physico‐chemical properties, were easily and quickly synthesized to generate a distinct fingerprint of explosives for pattern recognition. The reversible anion exchange ability further endowed the sensor array with a dynamic tunable feature as well as good controllability and practicality for real‐world application. With the assistance of statistical analysis, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discrimination analysis (LDA), an optimized‐size array with a good resolution was rationally established from a large number of IL‐based receptors. The performed experiments suggested that the ionic‐liquid‐based sensing protocol is a general and powerful strategy for creating a cross‐reactive sensor array that could find a wide range of applications for sensing various analytes or complex mixtures.     

Non-aerosol detection of explosives with a continuous flow immunosensor

Contamination of groundwater, soil, and the marine environment by explosives is a global issue. Identification, characterization and remediation are all required for a site recognized as contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) or hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). For each step, a method to accurately measure the contaminant level is needed. This paper reviews some of the current methods with emphasis on a single biosensor developed in our laboratory. Current regulatory methods require samples to be sent off-site to a certified laboratory resulting in time delays up to a month. A continuous flow biosensor for detection of explosives has been developed and tested for the rapid field screening of environmental samples. The detection system is based on a displacement immunoassay in which monoclonal antibodies to (TNT) and RDX are immobilized on solid substrates, allowed to bind fluorescently labeled antigens, and then exposed to explosives in aqueous samples. Explosive compounds present in the sample displace proportional amounts of the fluorescent label, which can then be measured to determine the original TNT or RDX concentration. The system can accurately detect ppb to ppt levels of explosives in groundwater or seawater samples and in extracts of contaminated soil. The biosensor has applications in environmental monitoring at remediation sites or in the location of underwater unexploded ordnance.     

Textile‐based Electrochemical Sensing: Effect of Fabric Substrate and Detection of Nitroaromatic Explosives

This study examines the influence of textile substrates upon the behavior of wearable screen‐printed electrodes and demonstrates the attractive sensing properties of these sensors towards the detection of nitroaromatic explosives. Compared to electrodes printed on common cotton or polyester substrates, GORE‐TEX‐based electrochemical sensors display reproducible background cyclic voltammograms, reflecting the excellent water‐repellant properties of the GORE‐TEX fabric. The wetting properties of different printed textile electrodes are elucidated using contact angle measurements. The influence of laundry washing and mechanical stress is explored. The GORE‐TEX‐based printed electrodes exhibit favorable detection of 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (DNT) and 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosives, including rapid detection of DNT vapor.     

Isocratic Liquid Chromatography with Segmented Columns and Simultaneous UV and Dual Electrochemical Detection: Application to the Selectivity Enhancement for the Determination of Explosives

The concept of stationary‐phase optimized liquid chromatography (POPLC) was studied in the context of separation and detection aspects for the determination of explosives. A tailor‐made segmented column assembly with three complementary reverse‐phase materials enabled the separation of 14 priority target nitroaromatic explosives. This experimental approach resulted in excellent selectivity without using gradient‐elution protocols which can considerably deteriorate the performance of electrochemical detection. Consequently, the POPLC separations could be operated under isocratic conditions which were very important for the reliable use of electrochemical detection. Simultaneous UV and dual electrochemical detection resulting in three detection traces was exploited as an additional means for the further enhancement of selectivity in more complex samples.     

荧光传感方法检测爆炸物的研究进展

爆炸物检测是当前国际安全中迫切关注的问题之一。在过去的几十年中,大量的荧光传感材料用于荧光传感检测气态、液态和固态爆炸物见诸于报道。近年来,为了实现爆炸物的快速响应、高灵敏和高选择性的检测,研究工作者大力开发了各种新型荧光材料。这篇综述总结了近年来用于爆炸物检测的先进荧光材料,详尽、系统、重点地介绍了共轭聚合物、荧光小分子、超分子体系、具有聚集诱导发光效应的活性材料及静电纺丝纳米材料等各种荧光材料在爆炸物检测中的应用,展望了荧光传感方法在爆炸物检测领域的应用前景。     

Rapid,on-site identification of explosives in nanoliter droplets using a UV reflected fiber optic sensor

A portable UV (190–400 nm) spectrophotometric based reflected fiber optic sensor system is presented for the on-site detection and identification of explosives. A reflected fiber optic sensor for explosives analysis was developed, with low sample consumption (20–100 nL) and a wide concentration quantification range (1.1–250 mg L⁻¹). Seven common explosives [pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (CE), trinitrotoluene (TNT), dinitrotoluene (DNT), picric acid (PA), cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX), cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX)] and a PETN–RDX mixture (to simulate the Semtex used in many terrorist bombings) were quantitatively analyzed and identified by the proposed system in less than 3 s per test, with limits of detection (LOD) of 0.3 mg L⁻¹. Due to chemical interference problems in the UV wavelengths range, a novel feature matching algorithm (FMA) was proposed for explosive identification, which was proved to have higher specificity and better anti-interference ability. Real post-blast debris samples were analyzed by the proposed method, and the results were validated against an LC/MS/MS method. The rapid, cost-effective detection with low sample consumption and wide applicability achieved by this system is highly suitable for homeland security on-site applications, such as rapid sample screening in post-blast debris.     

Polyfunctional Lewis Acids: Intriguing Solid‐State Structure and Selective Detection and Discrimination of Nitroaromatic Explosives

Synthesis and crystal structures of three porphyrin‐based polyfunctional Lewis acids 1 – 3 are reported. Intermolecular HgCl ??? HgCl (linear and μ‐type) interactions in the solid state of the peripherally ArHgCl‐decorated compound 3 lead to a fascinating 3D supramolecular architecture. Compound 3 shows a selective fluorescence quenching response to picric acid and discriminates other nitroaromatic‐based explosives. For the first time, an electron‐deficient polyfunctional Lewis acid is shown to be useful for the selective detection and discrimination of nitroaromatic explosives. The Stern–Volmer quenching constant and detection limits of compound 3 for picric acid are the best among the reported small‐molecular receptors for nitroaromatic explosives. The electronic structure, Lewis acidity, and selective sensing characteristics of 3 are well corroborated by DFT calculations.     

Atmospheric pressure ion/molecule reactions for the selective detection of nitroaromatic explosives using acetonitrile and air as reagents

Acetonitrile vapor and air are useful reagents for the selective detection of nitroaromatic compounds using atmospheric pressure ion/molecule reactions. Reagent ions CH2CN- and CN- generated from acetonitrile, and O-*, OH- and OOH- produced from the oxygen in air, react with vapor-phase and condensed-phase nitroaromatics in the course of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI), respectively. The homogeneous and the heterogeneous phase reactions both lead to the formation of the same anionic adducts. These adducts have characteristic fragmentation patterns upon collisional activation, which makes these two reagents valuable for the selective detection of particular nitroaromatics, including explosives present as components of complex mixtures. Complementary information is available from the two reagents because their different chemistry facilitates analyte identification. DAPCI is demonstrated to be a useful ambient detection method for nitroaromatic explosives absorbed on surfaces.