The evaluation of solid phase micro-extraction fibre types for the analysis of organic components in unburned propellant powders

This work describes the evaluation of various solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) fibre types for the detection of compounds originating from particles of unburned propellant powders. These compounds may also be found in association with organic gunshot residues (OGSR). Seven SPME fibres were assessed based on their ability to extract the compounds of interest (diphenylamine (DPA), 4-nitrodiphenylamine (4-NDPA), ethyl centralite (EC), nitroglycerin (NG) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP)) from four ammunition types across three calibres (9 mm, 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm). Extracts were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results indicated that the 65 μm polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) was the most suitable fibre type for the extraction of these compounds across the ammunition types tested. Optimal extraction time parameters were also assessed with a 35-min period determined to be suitable. A number of previously unreported considerations for extracting propellant powders and potentially OGSR related materials are discussed.     

Semimicro spectrophotometric determination of nitroglycerine in propellants by use of 2,4-xylenol

A semimicro spectrophotometric method using 2,4-xylenol is proposed for the determination of nitroglycerine in propellants. The propellant is extracted with methylene chloride, the extract is diluted, and a 10-ml aliquot is evaporated just to dryness. Then 2,4-xylenol reagent and 63% v/v sulphuric acid are added to hydrolyse the nitroglycerine to nitrate and form 6-nitro-2,4-xylenol which is steam-distilled in a Parnas-Wagner Kjeldahl distillation apparatus into a water-ammonia-isopropyl alcohol mixture. The absorbance of the yellow solution of the anion of the 6-nitro-2,4-xylenol is measured. The calibration curve is prepared from potassium nitrate and an empirical factor (5.50) is used to convert from nitrogen content to nitroglycerine (the theoretical factor is 5.40). The 2,4-xylenol should be added before the sulphuric acid in order to prevent interference from diphenylamine and ethyl centralite. The method is designed for the usual nitrocellulose double-base propellants containing 8-50% of nitroglycerine.     

Determination of diphenylamine and its mono-derivatives in single-base gun propellants during aging by high performance liquid chromatography

Summary The separation and quantitative determination of diphenylamine and its mono-derivatives in single-base gun propellants during aging was investigated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). We have defined optimal conditions to allow determination of diphenylamine and its mono-derivatives during aging until their levels fell below limits of detection. These compounds were determined in a single-base gun propellant during a storage period of 168 hours at 100°C using a developed, successfully verified HPLC method.     

Method validation for the determination of propellant components by Soxhlet extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A fast, sensitive, and accurate GC/MS method for the quantification of aliphatic nitroesters (ethylene glycol dinitrate, nitroglycerin, and triethylene glycol dinitrate) and aromatic amines (diphenylamine, 2-nitrodiphenylamine, and triphenylamine) in propellants was developed and validated. This method comprises a Soxhlet extraction step with dichloromethane, followed by separation on a capillary column MDN-5. Ionization of the analytes is carried out using electron ionization. The limit of quantification of the method was 1% w/w for aliphatic nitroesters and 0.1% w/w for aromatic amines (diphenylamine and triphenylamine). Values of repeatability and reproducibility for analyzed compounds were smaller than values of the maximum allowed tolerances of the Horwitz-equation RSD(max) and 2/3 RSD(max). Values of accuracy for selected compounds were below the acceptable threshold of 15% for all tested levels in the range of calibration curve excepting the lowest concentration of calibration curve for nitroglycerin and aromatic amines. During the validation of method, temperature instability in injection port of gas chromatograph and column was observed for 2-nitrodiphenylamine. Hence, it follows worse results of accuracy and linearity and 2-nitrodiphenylamine was not validated successfully.     

Application of a nanostructured supramolecular solvent for the microextraction of diphenylamine and its mono‐nitrated derivatives from unburned single‐base propellants

A supramolecular solvent made up of nano‐sized inverted hexagonal aggregates of 1‐octanol is proposed for the microextraction of diphenylamine and its mono‐nitrated derivatives in unburned single‐base propellants. The procedure included the extraction of sub‐gram quantities (30 mg) of homogenized propellant with 1.5 mL of the supramolecular solvent. Several conditions affecting extraction efficiency, for example the concentrations of the major components of the supramolecular solvent (tetrahydrofuran and alkanol), alkanol type, solvent pH, and extraction time, were investigated and optimized. The main forces for the microextraction of analytes in the nanostructured supramolecular solvent include both dispersion and hydrogen bond interactions. This mixed‐mode mechanism resulted in high extraction efficiencies reaching low method detection limits (0.005–0.012 mg/g) without the need for extract evaporation. Under the optimum conditions, recoveries in samples ranged between about 82.6 and 98.7%. Compared to the reference method, the proposed method is simple and rapid, delivering accurate and precise results, and can be applied for routine determination of diphenylamine and its derivatives in propellants. The precision of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation, was about 4.3–10.9%.     

Decomposition of diphenylamine in nitrocellulose based propellants-II. Application of a numerical model to concentration-time data determined by liquid chromatography and dual-wavelength detection

A continued investigation of the primary steps in diphenylamine (DPA) decomposition in nitrocellulose (NC) propellants is presented. The study is based on analytical data obtained by reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation of the initial degradation products of DPA. Spectrophotometric detection, rather than the amperometric detection used in part I of this work (A. Bergens and R. Danielsson, Talanta, 1995, 42, 171), was employed in order to detect N-nitroso-DPA as well as DPA, 2-nitro-DPA and 4-nitro-DPA. The results have been studied with the rate parameter optimization program described in part I and simulations suggest that the decomposition of DPA includes unknown reaction steps. More satisfying curve fits were, for example, obtained when the initial reaction for conversion of DPA into N-nitroso-DPA was considered to consist of a two step process with an intermediate. This intermediate could act as a stabilizer as well as DPA and N-nitroso-DPA, particularly at lower temperatures.     

Theoretical investigation study based on PM3MM and ONIOM2 calculations of β-Cyclodextrin complexes with diphenylamine

The inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and diphenylamine (DPA) was investigated by using PM3MM, DFT, HF and ONIOM2 methods. The most stable structure was obtained at the optimum position and angle. The results indicate that the inclusion complex formed by DPA entering into the cavity of β-CD from its wide side (the secondary hydroxyl group side) is more stable than that formed by DPA entering into the cavity of β-CD from its narrow side (the primary hydroxyl group side). The structures show the presence of several intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions that were studied on the basis of natural bonding orbital (NBO) analysis, employed to quantify the donor–acceptor interactions between diphenylamine and β-CD. A study of these complexes in solution was carried out using the CPCM model to examine the influence of solvation on the stability of the diphenylamine β-CD complex.     

Determination of ethylene dimethacrylate in nitrocellulose-base propellants

Ethylene dimethacrylate was determined in nitrocellulose-base propellants by saponification, bromination, and infrared. In the saponification method the ethylene dimethacrylate was saponified after extraction with methylene chloride; for greatest accuracy a slight correction was made for the nitration products of diphenylamine which react with alkali. In the bromination method the ethylene dimethacrylate was determined by titration with potassium bromate after extraction with methylene chloride; a correction was made for diphenylamine which is also brominated. The diphenylamine in propellants containing ethylene dimethacrylate was determined by bromination after a steam distillation, using either the gravimetric or titrimetric technique. In the infrared method the ethylene dimethacrylate was extracted with methylene chloride and the ester peak at 5.79 μ was measured in the methylene chloride solution. The saponification, bromination, and infrared methods checked each other reasonably well. This attests to the validity of the methods and also indicates that polymerization of ethylene dimethacrylate does not occur in the manufacture of the propellant.     

Thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of composite solid propellants in the presence of amide burning rate suppressants

The employment of burning rate suppressants in the solid rocket propellant formulation is long known. Different research activities have been conducted to well understand the mechanism of suppression, but literature about the action of oxamide (OXA) and azodicarbonamide (ADA) on the thermal decomposition of composite propellant is still scarce. The focus of this study is on investigating the effect of burning rate suppressants on the thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of composite solid propellants. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential thermal analysis have been used to identify the changes in the thermal and kinetic behaviors of coolant-based propellants. Two main decomposition stages were observed. It was found that OXA played an inhibition effect on both stages, whereas the ADA acts as a catalyst in the first stage and as coolant in the second one. The activation energy dependent on the conversion rate was estimated by two model-free integral methods: Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) based on the TG data obtained at different heating rates. The mechanism of action of coolants on the decomposition of solid propellants was confirmed by the kinetic investigation as well.     

Decomposition of diphenylamine in nitrocellulose based propellants-I. Optimization of a numerical model to concentration-time data for diphenylamine and its primary degradation products determined by liquid chromatography with dual-amperometric detection

The consumption of diphenylamine (DPA) in two nitrocellulose (NC) based propellants subjected to a heat storage test at 85 degrees has been studied. A previously developed method based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography with dual-amperometric detection was used to monitor the concentrations of DPA, 2-nitro-DPA and 4-nitro-DPA during the test. A numerical model based on first order rate equations was fitted to the obtained analytical data with the use of a specially written curve fitting program. The model implemented in the program describes the initial nitrosation and nitration steps of DPA in aging NC propellants. The use of matrices in the calculation of concentration-time (CT) curves enables the introduction of a general algorithm which can be readily changed in order to simulate any system of first order reactions. The program can therefore be used in other applications such as mechanistic studies in organic synthesis. The general simulation algorithm allows inclusion of unknown (not analysed) components in the reaction mechanism. In this application, it was possible to simulate the course of N-nitroso-DPA which is not detectable by the amperometric principle.     

Study of inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin and diphenylamine: photophysical and electrochemical behaviors

The photophysical, electrochemical and photoprototropic behaviors of diphenylamine (DPA) in aqueous β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) solution have been investigated using absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetric techniques. Absorption of the neutral and cationic form of DPA is enhanced due to the formation of a 1:1 complex with β-CD. The formation of this complex has been confirmed by Benesi-Hildebrand plot and docking studies by RasMol tool methods. The solid complex of β-CD with DPA is investigated by FT-IR, XRD and AFM methods. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) of inclusion process are also determined. The pK(a) values of neutral-monocation equilibria have been determined with absorption (conjugate acid-base) titrations. A mechanism is proposed to explain the inclusion process.     

Determination of diphenylamine stabilizer and its nitrated derivatives in smokeless gunpowder using a tandem MS method

A novel method for determination of diphenylamine (DPA) and its nitrated derivatives, which are considered as characteristic components in smokeless powder and gunshot residues, is described. A tandem mass spectrometric method is established and mass spectrometer parameters optimized for each compound to obtain higher sensitivity. Under optimum conditions, quantitative analysis was carried out. The linear ranges are 5.0-200.0, 2.0-200.0 and 5.0-250.0 ng ml-1 and the detection limits are 1.0, 0.5 and 2.5 ng ml-1 for diphenylamine (DPA), N-NO-diphenylamine (N-NO-DPA) and 4-NO2-diphenylamine (4-NO2-DPA), respectively. Intra-assay and inter-assay precision and accuracy of analysis of these three samples were investigated. Based on the regression lines obtained above, smokeless samples were analyzed. It was found that there are 0.952% DPA, 0.384% N-NO-DPA and 0.128% 4-NO2-DPA in smokeless powder. Recovery tests showed that using cotton swabs, 80.3 +/- 4.9% DPA, 79.6 +/- 3.1% N-NO-DPA and 83.1 +/- 5.4% 4-NO2-DPA could be recovered from human hands.     

Studies on monitoring the composition of the copolymer by cyclic voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemical analysis

Electrochemical copolymerization of diphenylamine (DPA) with ortho-toluidine (OT) was carried out in 4 M sulphuric acid medium by cyclic voltammetry. Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of the copolymer films were recorded to deduce the electrochemical characteristics. In situ UV-visible spectroelectrochemical studies on copolymerization were carried out using indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass plate as working electrode for different feed ratios of DPA and OT. UV-visible spectral characteristics show clear dependencies on the molar feed composition of DPA or OT used in electropolymerization. Derivative cyclic voltabsorptogram (DCVA) was deduced at the wavelength corresponding to the absorption by the intermediate species and used to identify the intermediates generated during the electropolymerization. The molar composition of DPA and OT units in the copolymer for the copolymers synthesized with different molar feed ratios of DPA and OT was determined by UV-visible spectroscopy. Reactivity ratios of DPA and OT were deduced by using Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos methods and the observed differences in the composition of DPA/OT in the copolymers were correlated with CV characteristics and results obtained from in situ spectroelectrochemical studies.     

Effect of inclusion complexation on the photophysical behavior of diphenylamine in β-cyclodextrin medium: a study by electronic spectra

Spectral characteristics of diphenylamine (DPA) have been investigated in β-cyclodextrin (β-CDx) solution. The formation of the complex was revealed by UV, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The stoichiometry of DPA:β-CDx complex, determined using Benesi-Hildebrand equation and Job's continuous variation method is 1:1. The binding constants calculated from various methods are reported. This inclusion complex formation from DPA and β-CDx was also confirmed by the FT-IR spectral study and SEM image analysis of solid complex prepared by co-precipitation method.     

Influence of the surfactant bromide of cetyltrimetyl ammonium in the determination of chlorogenic acid in instant coffee and mate tea samples

In this study, two quantitative differential-pulse polarography (DPP) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV) methods were developed to determine total chlorogenic acid (CGA). Studies on this compound involve its reduction at a hanging mercury drop electrode in micellar media—a simple, fast, reliable, and sensitive method. The use of surfactant cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was pivotal to the development of these methods, allowing for satisfactory changes in CGA reduction. The supporting electrolyte which provided the best-defined CGA determination was 0.04-mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer at pH 6.0 in the presence of CTAB. Based on this use and under optimized conditions, the two new DPP and SWV methods for CGA analysis had detection limits of 2.36 × 10⁻⁷ and 1.34 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹, respectively, for a pure standard. Analysis of the standard in the presence of treated instant coffee and mate tea samples allowed for good average recovery rates, ranging from 97.06% to 105.90%.     

Titration of antimony(III) with cerium(IV) sulphate and diphenylamine and its derivatives as reversible indicators

Diphenylamine, barium diphenylamine sulphonate, N-phenylanthranilic acid and 2-nitrodiphenylamine have been investigated as reversible indicators for the titration of antimony(III) with cerium(IV) sulphate in 0.5–2 M sulphuric acid medium. Diphenylamine is the most satisfactory in titrations of antimony(III) in chloride-free solutions, e.g. of potassium antimonyl tartrate. Even low chloride concentrations affect the indicator action of N-phenyl-anthranilic acid or 2-nitrodiphenylamine, but diphenylamine is satisfactory in 1 M hydrochloric acid media. Iodine catalyst is necessary to accelerate the reduction of the oxidized indicator by antimony(III). The indicator colour change is vivid and the colour of the oxidized indicator is stable. Titrations of antimony(III) in mixtures with iron(II) and arsenic(III) are also considered.     

Determination of diphenylamine in contaminated air of agricultural buildings using active sampling on solid sorbents

This paper reports the results of a study carried out with solid sorbents in order to establish the optimum procedure for sampling and determination of diphenylamine (DPA), the most widely used post-harvest chemical in apples, in the indoor air of apple storage buildings. Different sorbents (Amberlite XAD-2, Amberlite XAD-4, Supelpak 2, Florisil, and the octadecyl silica bonded sorbent, C-18) were evaluated for their capacity to efficiently retain DPA under different air sampling and storage conditions, whereas a desorption study of all sorbents tested was also performed to optimise a simple extraction procedure using low volumes of organic solvents. In general all sorbents produced acceptable results for DPA air sampling whereas DPA was recovered easily by the use of low volumes of both ethyl acetate and acetone from all sorbents studied thus making DPA a suitable analyte to be used in methods of indoor air analysis for multi-organic pollutants. However, the best results (analytical features, recovery results, and stability results during storage) were obtained by the use of Supelpak 2 as a sorbent for DPA active sampling. Limits of Quantification (LOQs) for the GC-NPD system ranged from 1.0 to 2.0?µg?m^?3 for 120 and 60?L air sampled, respectively. The developed air sampling procedure and analytical methodology was applied with success in the field to measure DPA residues in indoor air of two apple storage plants in Greece and results were further used to calculate the occupational inhalation exposure to DPA and consequently risk characterisation. Since DPA was detected in indoor air (at concentrations ranged from 1.6 to 580?µg?m^?3), there is no zero occupational risk for workers. However, the inhalation exposure of workers to DPA estimated in this study is far below the Acceptable Operator Exposure Level recently reviewed by the European Union and far below the critical exposure level for haematotoxicity systemic effect observed in carcinogenicity studies in rats for long-term inhalation exposure to DPA.     

Fabrication and thermal decomposition of glycidyl azide polymer modified nitrocellulose double base propellants

Glycidyl azide polymer(GAP) with the advantages of non-volatility and excellent thermal stability is a candidate as a replacement for nitroglycerine(NG) in a double base propellant. The GAP-NC double base propellants were formulated with GAP and nitrocellulose(NC) fibers. Tensile test and SEM characterization indicated that GAP-NC propellants had a homogeneous structure. Thermogravimetric analysis of GAP-NC propellants revealed that the onset decomposition temperature reached a high level ranging from 192.9 to 194.6 °C, which indicated that the substitution of NG with GAP contributed to the safe storage and process operations for double base propellant. The result analysis of decomposition products of GAP-NC propellants showed that the main gas decomposition products of the propellants were NO, NO_2, CO, CO_2, NH_3, CH_4, HCN, N_2, CH_2O and C_2H_4O. The thermal decomposition process of the specimens was proposed.     

UV-vis spectroscopy for following the kinetics of homogeneous polymerization of diphenylamine in p-toluene sulphonic acid

Kinetics of chemical oxidative polymerization of diphenylamine (DPA) was followed in aqueous 1M para-toluene sulphonic acid (p-TSA) using potassium peroxomonosulphate (PMS) or peroxodisulphate (PDS), independently as an oxidant. The medium was found to be homogeneous and became dark green in colour during the course of polymerisation. The course of polymerization was followed by UV-vis spectroscopy. Rate of polymerization (R(p)) was determined for various conditions by following the absorbance values corresponding to poly(diphenylamine) (PDPA) for different concentrations of DPA and PMS or PDS at various time intervals of polymerization. The observed dependences of DPA, PDS or PMS on R(p) were used to deduce rate equations for PDS or PMS initiated polymerization of DPA. The rate constant for the formation of poly(diphenylamine), was estimated. In situ spectroelectrochemical studies on the polymerization of DPA were also carried out on an ITO electrode in 1M p-TSA. The results are in accordance with the intermediates suggested in chemical oxidative polymerization.     

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) calibration using inkjet microdrop printing for direct loading of known analyte mass on to SPME fibers

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a widely used sampling technique that has been proved to enable efficient extraction of a broad range of analytes. Generally, SPME achieves non-exhaustive extraction, and therefore the analyte mass transfer distribution in the sampled multiphase system should be considered while developing a calibration method. Here, a new method, aimed at quantifying the extracted analytes without the need to consider their mass distribution, is proposed. This method relies on the generation of mass response curves by loading a known analyte mass onto the absorbent phase of a SPME fiber, and then conducting analysis by the preferred technique. Precise and accurate deposition of analyte over the restricted dimension of a fiber is demonstrated for the first time by utilizing a drop-on-demand microdrop printer. This system enables direct, non-contact deposition of micron-sized drops containing negligible solvent volumes (<1 nL), on the center of the extraction phase of the fiber which enables immediate analysis. Printed fiber response curves were determined herein, with three model compounds of different volatility—2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), diphenylamine (DPA), and 1,3 diethyl-1,3-diphenylurea (ethyl centralite, EC), using two analytical techniques, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Quantification of the absolute amounts extracted by headspace SPME yielded comparable results between the two methods of analysis with only less than 10% variation for 2,4-DNT and EC and less than 30% for DPA. In comparison, quantification by the traditional liquid injection/spike response curves determined by each technique led to mass estimates that were significantly greater by hundreds of percent.