Rapid voltammetric determination of nitroaromatic explosives at electrochemically activated carbon-fibre electrodes

The electrochemical behaviour of some nitroaromatic explosives (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, TNT; 2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,6-DNT; 2-nitrotoluene, 2-NT; 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 2-A-4,6-DNT; 3,5-dinitroaniline, 3,5-DNA; and nitrobenzene, NB) at electrochemically activated carbon-fibre microelectrodes is reported. Electrochemical activation of such electrode material by repeated square-wave (SW) voltammetric scans between 0.0 and +2.6 V versus Ag/AgCl, produced a dramatic increase in the cathodic response from these compounds. This is attributed to the increase of the carbon-fibre surface area, because of its fracture, and the appearance of deep fissures along the main fibre axis into which the nitroaromatic compounds penetrate. Based on the important contribution of adsorption and/or thin layer electrolysis to the total voltammetric response, a SW voltammetric method for rapid detection of nitroaromatic explosives was developed. No interference was found from compounds such as hydrazine, phenolic compounds, carbamates, triazines or surfactants. The limits of detection obtained are approximately 0.03 g mL^–1 for all the nitroaromatic compounds tested. The method was applied for the determination of TNT in water and soil spiked samples; recoveries were higher than 95% in all cases.     

Graphene-based electrochemical sensor for detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in seawater: the comparison of single-, few-, and multilayer graphene nanoribbons and graphite microparticles

The detection of explosives in seawater is of great interest. We compared response single-, few-, and multilayer graphene nanoribbons and graphite microparticle-based electrodes toward the electrochemical reduction of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). We optimized parameters such as accumulation time, accumulation potential, and pH. We found that few-layer graphene exhibits about 20% enhanced signal for TNT after accumulation when compared to multilayer graphene nanoribbons. However, graphite microparticle-modified electrode provides higher sensitivity, and there was no significant difference in the performance of single-, few-, and multilayer graphene nanoribbons and graphite microparticles for the electrochemical detection of TNT. We established the limit of detection of TNT in untreated seawater at 1 μg/mL.     

Iptycene‐Based Fluorescent Sensors for Nitroaromatics and TNT

Small‐molecule fluorescent sensors ( 1 – 5 ) for the recognition of nitroaromatic compounds, such as 2,4‐dinitrotoluene and the explosive TNT, were obtained by using a three‐step dehydrohalogenation cycloaddition protocol. The interaction of the receptors and nitroaromatics was studied both in solution and in the solid state by using fluorescence spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography, respectively. It is shown that the iptycene receptors 1 – 5 provide a cavity suitable for binding nitroaromatic compounds in an edge‐to‐face mode, rather than simple ring‐stacking interactions. The results obtained inspired us to develop an inexpensive, reliable and robust sensor for vapour detection of explosives. Polymer nanofibres are particularly suitable for the production of such TNT sensors as they accelerate the mass exchange between the polymer and the vapours of TNT. Quenching of the sensors took place within 1 min compared to 10 min for a glass‐slide assay. Hence, the sensor performance can be improved by optimising the matrix material and morphology without resynthesising the sensor moieties.     

Highly dispersive Ag nanoparticles on functionalized graphene for an excellent electrochemical sensor of nitroaromatic compounds

A facile carbon radical reaction procedure and a chemical reduction method were proposed to synthesize Ag nanoparticles on functionalized graphene with uniform, high dispersion and excellent stability. The resultant material showed excellent electrocatalytic activity to nitroaromatic compounds and high sensitivity to the detection of nitroaromatic compounds.     

Fluorescent Detection of 2,4‐DNT and 2,4,6‐TNT in Aqueous Media by Using Simple Water‐Soluble Pyrene Derivatives

Pyrene‐containing water‐soluble probes for the fluorescent detection of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs), such as explosive components (2,4‐DNT and 2,4,6‐TNT) and herbicides (2,4‐dinitrocresol, 2,4‐DNOC), in aqueous media are reported. In the probes, the introduction of surface‐active hydrophilic “heads” at the periphery of lipophilic (i.e., hydrophobic) pyrene “tails” resulted in the formation of highly fluorescent micelle‐like aggregates/pre‐associates in aqueous solutions at concentrations of ≤10^?5 m . The enhanced fluorescence quenching of the herein reported architectures is achieved in the presence of ultra‐trace amounts of TNT or 2,4‐DNT with values of Stern–Volmer quenching constant close to 1×10⁵ m ^?1 and a detection limit as low as 182 ppb. The most hydrophilic probes demonstrated higher response to 2,4‐DNT over TNT. Filter paper test strips impregnated with 1×10^?5 m solutions of the probes were able to detect TNT, 2,4‐DNT, and other NACs at levels as low as 50 ppb in water.     

Determination of Explosives Using Electrochemically Reduced Graphene

A graphene‐based electrochemical sensing platform for sensitive determination of explosive nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) was constructed by means of electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electrochemically reduced graphene (ER‐GO) adhered strongly onto the GCE surface with a wrinkled morphology that showed a large active surface area. 2,4‐Dinitrotoluene (2,4‐DNT), as a model analyte, was detected by using stripping voltammetry, which gave a low detection limit of 42 nmol L⁻¹ (signal‐to‐noise ratio=3) and a wide linear range from 5.49×10⁻⁷ to 1.1×10⁻⁵ M . Further characterizations by electrochemistry, IR, and Raman spectra confirmed that the greatly improved electrochemical reduction signal of DNT on the ER‐GO‐modified GC electrode could be ascribed to the excellent electrocatalytic activity and high surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio of graphene, and the strong π–π stacking interactions between 2,4‐DNT and the graphene surface. Other explosive nitroaromatic compounds including 1,3‐dinitrobenzene (1,3‐DNB), 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT), and 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene (TNB) could also be detected on the ER‐GO‐modified GC electrode at the nM level. Experimental results showed that electrochemical reduction of GO on the GC electrode was a fast, simple, and controllable method for the construction of a graphene‐modified electrode for sensing NACs and other sensing applications.     

Simultaneous determination of nitroaromatic compounds in water using capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection on an electrode modified with a mesoporous nano‐structured carbon material

In this article, a carbon disk electrode modified with mesoporous carbon material (CMK‐3) was used in CE with amperometric detection system for the simultaneous determination of four types of important nitroaromatic compounds, including 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene (TNB), 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (DNT) and 1,3‐dinitrobenzene (DNB). Compared with the bare carbon electrode, the CMK‐3 modified electrode greatly improved the sensitivity at a relatively positive detection potential due to its excellent electrocatalytic activities, high conductivity and large effective surface area. The four analytes could be well separated and detected within 480 s. A good linear response was obtained for TNB, DNB, TNT and DNT from 8.4 to 5.0×10³ μg/L, with correlation coefficients higher than 0.9992. And the detection limits were established between 3.0 and 4.7 μg/L for the four investigated nitroaromatic compounds (S/N=3). The CMK‐3‐modified electrode was successfully employed to analyze coking wastewater, tap water and river samples with recoveries in the range of 94.8–109.0%, and RSDs less than 5.0%. The presented results demonstrated that the CMK‐3‐modified carbon electrode used in CE with amperometric detection was of convenient preparation, high sensitivity and good repeatability, which could be employed in the rapid determination of practical samples.     

Direct injection of seawater for the analysis of nitroaromatic explosives and their degradation products by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Practical considerations for the injection and separation of nitroaromatic explosives in seawater sample matrices are discussed. The use of high surfactant concentrations and long electrokinetic injections allows for improved detection limits. Sensitivity was enhanced by two mechanisms, improved stacking at the detector-side of the sample plug and desorption of analyte from the capillary wall by surfactant-containing BGE from the inlet side of the sample plug. Calculated limits of detection (S/N = 3) for analytes prepared in pure seawater were 70–800 ppb with injection times varying from 5 to 100 s.     

Characterization of a monoclonal TNT-antibody by measurement of the cross-reactivities of nitroaromatic compounds

The characterization of a commercially available monoclonal antibody directed against the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is reported. The cross-reactivities of various nitroaromatic compounds have been determined by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Byproducts and metabolites of TNT were examined as well as the azo dye Disperse Blue 79 and its major metabolites (2-bromo-4,6-dinitroaniline and 2-chloro-4,6-dinitroaniline, respectively). By investigation of the cross-reactivities of different spacer derivatives of TNT it could be demonstrated that the bridge-recognition of the antibody is not very pronounced. N-(2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl)-methylamine shows the highest cross-reactivity (240%) of the examined compounds. Additionally, affinity constants of several nitroaromatic compounds have been determined. The affinity constant of TNT has been calculated to 1.3 × 10⁹ L/mol from the minimal midpoint (IC50 value) of the standard curve. The detection limit achieved for TNT was 0.06 μg/L; the midpoint of the optimized assay was 0.34 μg/L. Received: 17 July 1998 / Revised: 28 December 1998 / Accepted: 1 January 1999     

Electrochemiluminescence Detection of TNT by Resonance Energy Transfer through the Formation of a TNT–Amine Complex

2,4,6‐Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a widely used nitroaromatic explosive with significant detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Its detection is of great importance. In this study, both electrochemiluminescence (ECL)‐based detection of TNT through the formation of a TNT–amine complex and the detection of TNT through electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (ECRET) are developed for the first time. 3‐Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)‐modified [Ru(phen)₃]²⁺ (phen=1,10‐phenanthroline)‐doped silica nanoparticles (RuSiNPs) with uniform sizes of (73±3) nm were synthesized. TNT can interact with APTES‐modified RuSiNPs through charge transfer from electron‐rich amines in the RuSiNPs to the electron‐deficient aromatic ring of TNT to form a red TNT–amine complex. The absorption spectrum of this complex overlaps with the ECL spectrum of the APTES‐modified RuSiNPs/triethylamine system. As a result, ECL signals of the APTES‐modified RuSiNPs/triethylamine system are turned off in the presence of TNT owing to resonance energy transfer from electrochemically excited RuSiNPs to the TNT–amine complex. This ECRET method has been successfully applied for the sensitive determination of TNT with a linear range from 1×10^?9 to 1×10^?6 M with a fast response time within 1 min. The limit of detection is 0.3 nM . The method exhibits good selectivity towards 2,4‐dinitrotoluene, p‐nitrotoluene, nitrobenzene, phenol, p‐quinone, 8‐hydroxyquinoline, p‐phenylenediamine, K₃[Fe(CN)₆], Fe³⁺, NO₃^?, NO₂^?, Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Pb²⁺, SO₃^2?, formaldehyde, oxalate, proline, and glycine.     

Detection of nitrobenzene, DNT, and TNT vapors by quenching of porous silicon photoluminescence

The detection of nitroaromatic molecules in air by the quenching of the photoluminescence of porous silicon (porous Si) films has been explored. Detection is achieved by monitoring the photoluminescence (PL) of a nanocrystalline porous Si film on exposure to the analyte of interest in a flowing air stream. The photoluminescence is quenched on exposure to the nitroaromatic, presumably by an electron-transfer mechanism. Detection limits of 500 parts-per-billion (ppb), 2 ppb, and 1 ppb were observed for nitrobenzene, 2.4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), respectively (exposure times of 5 min for each, in air). Specificity for detection is achieved by catalytic oxidation of the nitroaromatic compound. A platinum oxide (PtO2) or palladium oxide (PdO) catalyst at 250 degrees C. placed in the carrier gas line upstream of the porous Si detector, causes oxidation of all the nitroaromatic compounds studied. The catalyst does not oxidize benzene vapor, and control experiments show no difference in the extent of PL quenching by benzene with or without an upstream catalyst. The PL quenching by NO2, released in the catalytic oxidation of nitroaromatic compounds, is less efficient than the quenching of the intact nitroaromatic compound. This provides a means to discriminate nitro-containing molecules from other organic species.     

Sensing of 2,4,6‐Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2,4‐Dinitrotoluene (2,4‐DNT) in the Solid State with Photoluminescent RuII and IrIII Complexes

A series of metal–organic chromophores containing Ru^II or Ir^III were studied for the luminometric detection of nitroaromatic compounds, including trinitrotoluene (TNT). These complexes display long‐lived, intense photoluminescence in the visible region and are demonstrated to serve as luminescent sensors for nitroaromatics. The solution‐based behavior of these photoluminescent molecules has been studied in detail in order to identify the mechanism responsible for metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) excited state quenching upon addition of TNT and 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (2,4‐DNT). A combination of static and dynamic spectroscopic measurements unequivocally confirmed that the quenching was due to a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process. Ultrafast transient absorption experiments confirmed the formation of the TNT radical anion product following excited state electron transfer from these metal complexes. Reported for the first time, photoluminescence quenching realized through ink‐jet printing and solid‐state titrations was used for the solid‐state detection of TNT; achieving a limit‐of‐quantitation (LOQ) as low as 5.6 ng cm^?2. The combined effect of a long‐lived excited state and an energetically favorable driving force for the PET process makes the Ru^II and Ir^III MLCT complexes discussed here particularly appealing for the detection of nitroaromatic volatiles and related high‐energy compounds.     

Preparation and characterization of a polyclonal antibody from rabbit for detection of trinitrotoluene by a surface plasmon resonance biosensor

A polyclonal antibody against trinitrophenyl (TNP) derivatives was raised in rabbit, and the antibody was applied to detection of trinitrotoluene (TNT) using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. TNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanine (TNP-KLH) conjugate was injected into a rabbit, and a polyclonal anti-TNP antibody was realized after purification of the sera using protein G. Aspects of the anti-TNP antibody against various nitroaromatic compounds, such as cross-reactivities and affinities, were characterized. The temperature dependence of the affinity between the anti-TNP antibody and TNT was also evaluated. The quantification of TNT was based on the principle of indirect competitive immunoassay, in which the immunoreaction between the TNP-β-alanine-ovalbumin (TNP-β-ala-OVA) and anti-TNP antibody was inhibited in the presence of free TNT in solution. TNP-β-ala-OVA was immobilized to the dextran matrix on the Au surface by amine coupling. The addition of a mixture of free TNT to the anti-TNP antibody was found to decrease the incidence angle shift due to the inhibitory effect of TNT. The immunoassay exhibited excellent sensitivity for the detection of TNT in the concentration range of 3 × 10⁻¹¹ to 3 × 10⁻⁷ g/ml. To increase the sensitivity of the sensor, anti-rabbit IgG antibody was used. After flowing the mixture of free TNT and anti-TNP antibody, anti-rabbit IgG antibody was injected, and the incidence angle shift was measured. Amplification of the signal was observed and the detection limit was improved to 1 × 10⁻¹¹ g/ml.     

Cyclic voltammetry as a screening tool for the fungal degradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in aqueous media

The use of an electrochemical technique based on cyclic voltammetry (CV) that can be implemented to monitor the degradation of the important nitroaromatic explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in aqueous media when in contact with a microorganism is presented. The microorganism used in this study was an isolated fungus belonging to the Aspergillus genus. In the degradation experiments, during the first 21 days of exposure of the fungal growth to a 68 mg L^?1 TNT aqueous stock solution, the analyte concentration decreased by 44% to 38 mg L^?1 before plateauing through the 58th day of the study. Statistical figures of merit of the technique included linearity in the 1–92 mg L^?1 range and correlation coefficients above 98% for the three reduction peaks of TNT, a limit of detection (LOD) of 3 mg L^?1, a limit of quantification of 10 mg L^?1 and a method precision of 3.8% relative standard deviation (%RSD). Day-to-day and week-to-week repeatability were low at 5.1%RSD and 5.8%RSD, respectively. The results herein exhibit first-order kinetics for the ‘ortho’ nitro group. A clear to yellow colour transition in the control solution and fungi samples suggests the appearance of a TNT metabolite. UV-Vis spectrophotometry supports the presence of a possible derivative of TNT in the fungi samples.     

Electrochemical Sensing of Explosives

This article reviews recent advances in electrochemical sensing and detection of explosive substances. Escalating threats of terrorist activities and growing environmental concerns have generated major demands for innovative field‐deployable tools for detecting explosives in a fast, sensitive, reliable and simple manner. Field detection of explosive substances requires that a powerful analytical performance be coupled to miniaturized low‐cost instrumentation. Electrochemical devices offer attractive opportunities for addressing the growing explosive sensing needs. The advantages of electrochemical systems include high sensitivity and selectivity, speed, a wide linear range, compatibility with modern microfabrication techniques, minimal space and power requirements, and low‐cost instrumentation. The inherent electroactivity of nitroaromatic, nitramine and nitroester compounds makes them ideal candidates for electrochemical detection. Recent activity in various laboratories has led to the development of disposable sensor strips, novel electrode materials, submersible remote sensors, and electrochemical detectors for microchip (‘Lab‐on‐Chip’) devices for on‐site electrochemical detection of explosive substances. The attractive behavior of these electrochemical monitoring systems makes them very promising for addressing major security and environmental problems.     

Synthesis of Luminescent Covalent–Organic Polymers for Detecting Nitroaromatic Explosives and Small Organic Molecules

Three porous luminescent covalent‐‐organic polymers (COPs) have been synthesized through self‐polycondensation of the monomers of tris(4‐bromophenyl)amine, 1,3,5‐tris(4‐bromophenyl)benzene, and 2,4,6‐tris‐(4‐bromo‐phenyl)‐[1,3,5]triazine by using Ni‐catalyzed Yamamoto reaction. All the COP materials possess not only high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area of about 2000 m² g⁻¹, high hydrothermal stability, but also graphene‐like layer texture. Interestingly, COP‐3 and COP‐4 show very fast responses and high sensitivity to the nitroaromatic explosives, and also high selectivity for tracing picric acid (PA) and 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) at low concentration (<1 ppm). In short, the COPs may be a new kind of material for detecting explosives and small organic molecules.     

The Effect of Soil Moisture on the Ability to Detect TNT Pairs from the Sand Layer in Order to Prevent Environmental Pollution and Groundwater

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of sand bed moisture on TNT transport from under the sand layer. The MO-2M explosive vapor detector was used, the detection mechanism of which is based on the FAIMS method. In addition, it was determined after what time the detector alarm appears, signaling the presence of TNT vapors, and how it affects the thickness of the sand layer. The performed work allowed us to assess the suitability and possibly adapt the MO-2M detector to detect non-metal mines, which will help develop new application possibilities for this device. These tests can also be used to eliminate environmental contamination resulting from the deposition of explosives in the ground and the migration of harmful compounds to groundwater.     

Conjugated polymers for the fluorescent detection of nitroaromatics: Influence of side‐chain sterics and π‐system electronics

A series of eight poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and poly(p‐phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) ( P1–P8 ) derivatives were tested for their ability to detect the nitroaromatic explosive 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its model compound 2,6‐dinitrotoluene (DNT). The polymers P1–P8 represent five structural classes that have not been examined for nitroaromatic sensing. These new motifs include PPE derivatives with a main‐chain m‐terphenyl unit ( P1 ) or oxacyclophane canopy‐like structure ( P2 ) and PPV derivatives with 2,6‐mesitylenephenylene repeats ( P3 and P4 ), 9,9‐dialkyl‐1,4‐fluorenylene repeats ( P5 and P6 ), or m‐phenylene units that periodically disrupt π‐conjugation along the backbone of the polymer ( P7 and P8 ). The time‐dependent photoluminescent response of films to TNT and DNT and the solution‐phase Stern‐Volmer quenching constants for both TNT and DNT were determined. The results are rationalized in terms of side‐chain sterics and π‐system electronics and are discussed relative to known conjugated polymers. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1487–1492     

Diffusion-controlled detection of trinitrotoluene: interior nanoporous structure and low highest occupied molecular orbital level of building blocks enhance selectivity and sensitivity

Development of simple, cost-effective, and sensitive fluorescence-based sensors for explosives implies broad applications in homeland security, military operations, and environmental and industrial safety control. However, the reported fluorescence sensory materials (e.g., polymers) usually respond to a class of analytes (e.g., nitroaromatics), rather than a single specific target. Hence, the selective detection of trace amounts of trinitrotoluene (TNT) still remains a big challenge for fluorescence-based sensors. Here we report the selective detection of TNT vapor using the nanoporous fibers fabricated by self-assembly of carbazole-based macrocyclic molecules. The nanoporosity allows for time-dependent diffusion of TNT molecules inside the material, resulting in further fluorescence quenching of the material after removal from the TNT vapor source. Under the same testing conditions, other common nitroaromatic explosives and oxidizing reagents did not demonstrate this postexposure fluorescence quenching; rather, a recovery of fluorescence was observed. The postexposure fluorescence quenching as well as the sensitivity is further enhanced by lowering the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of the nanofiber building blocks. This in turn reduces the affinity for oxygen, thus allocating more interaction sites for TNT. Our results present a simple and novel way to achieve detection selectivity for TNT by creating nanoporosity and tuning molecular electronic structure, which when combined may be applied to other fluorescence sensor materials for selective detection of vapor analytes.     

Studies on nitroaromatic compound degradation in modified Fenton reactions by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS-MS)

Degradation products resulting from modified Fenton reactions with the nitroaromatic compounds trinitrotoluene (TNT) and trinitrobenzene (TNB) were identified by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS-MS). Several hydroperoxide adducts were tentatively identified as initial, one-electron reduction products of TNT and tandem mass spectrometry confirmed their structure. A transformation pathway of TNT, resulting from reactions with oxygen radical species generated by the modified Fenton reaction, was proposed.