Theoretical studies on structure and performance of [1,2,5]‐oxadiazolo‐[3,4‐d]‐pyridazine‐based derivatives

Based on energetic compound [1,2,5]‐oxadiazolo‐[3,4‐d]‐pyridazine, a series of functionalized derivatives were designed and first reported. Afterwards, the relationship between their structure and performance was systematically explored by density functional theory at B3LYP/6‐311 g (d, p) level. Results show that the bond dissociation energies of the weakest bond (N–O bond) vary from 157.530 to 189.411 kJ · mol^?1. The bond dissociation energies of these compounds are superior to that of HMX (N–NO_2, 154.905 kJ · mol^?1). In addition, H1, H2, H4, I2, I3, C1, C2, and D1 possess high density (1.818–1.997 g · cm^?3) and good detonation performance (detonation velocities, 8.29–9.46 km · s^?1; detonation pressures, 30.87–42.12 GPa), which may be potential explosives compared with RDX (8.81 km · s^?1, 34.47 GPa ) and HMX (9.19 km · s^?1, 38.45 GPa). Finally, allowing for the explosive performance and molecular stability, three compounds may be suggested as good potential candidates for high‐energy density materials. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical studies on nitrogen‐rich furoxan‐based heterocyclic derivatives

The density functional theory method was used to study the heats of formation (HOFs), energetic properties, electronic structure of a series of 4,4″‐dinitro(3,3′:4′,3′′)tris([1,2,5]oxadiazole)‐2′‐oxide (3,4‐bis[4′‐nitrofurazan‐3′‐yl]furoxan) derivatives. The results show that the substitution of the nitro group is very useful for improving their HOFs and detonation performances. The HOFs of the title compounds are all positive and larger than those of 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane and 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocane. The analysis of oxygen balance shows that the studied compounds need the oxygen in the explosive. Compound A1 has larger detonation velocity and detonation pressure than those of 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocane and can be regarded as a potential candidate for high‐energy compounds because of the moderate heat of detonation, high density, and high N. In addition, the energy gaps between the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the studied compounds are further investigated.     

Theoretical insights on a series of difluoramino group–based energetic molecules

A series of difluoramino group–based energetic molecules was designed and the relative properties were investigated by density functional theory. The results show that all the designed molecules have high positive heat of formation which ranges from 479.48 to 724.02 kJ/mol, detonation velocity ranges from 8.01 to 11.26 km/s, detonation pressure ranges from 28.03 to 63.46 GPa, and impact sensitivity ranges from 18.2 to 54.5 cm. Then, compounds D2, D3, D5, E4, E5, E6, and F2 were selected as the potential high energy density materials based on detonation properties and sensitivities. Natural bond orbital charges, electronic density, frontier molecular orbital, electrostatic potential on the surface, and thermal dynamic parameters of the screened molecules (compounds D2, D3, D5, E4, E5, E6, and F2) were also predicted at B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level to give a better understanding on the chemical and physical properties of them.     

Computational studies on two novel energetic nitrogen‐rich compounds based on tetrazolone

Two novel energetic nitrogen‐rich compounds 1,4‐diaminotetrazol‐5‐one ( DATO ) and 1,4‐dinitrotetrazol‐5‐one ( DNTO ) were proposed first and studied by quantum chemistry method with B3LYP/6‐31G* level of theory. The optimized geometry, IR predicted spectrum and thermochemical parameters, frontier molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potential were calculated for inspecting the electronic structure, molecular stability and chemical reactivity. The important macroscopic properties including density, enthalpy of formation, detonation parameters and impact sensitivity have been predicted as well. As a result, two designed compounds DATO and DNTO possess positive enthalpy of formation (395.79 and 342.77 kJ/mol), impressive detonation parameters (D = 8.80 km/s, P = 33.69 GPa; D = 8.89 km/s, P = 34.98 GPa) superior to the remarkable explosive RDX, acceptable sensitivities and might be promising candidates of energetic materials. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computational design and screening of promising energetic materials: Novel azobis(tetrazoles) with ten catenated nitrogen atoms chain

Density functional theory methods were used to study on 2 N10 compounds, 1,1′‐azobis(tetrazole) and 1,1′‐azobis(5‐methyltetrazole). We systematically investigated 10 novel substituted azobis(tetrazoles) with 10 catenated nitrogen atoms and various energetic groups (–CF₃ 1 , –C(NO₂)₃ 3 , –N₃ 5 , –NH₂ 6 , –NHNH₂ 7 , –NHNO₂ 8 , –NO₂ 9 , –OCH₃ 10 , –OH 11 , –ONO₂ 12 ). The optimized geometry, frontier molecular orbitals, electrostatic potential, Infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum were calculated for inspecting the molecular structure and stability as well as chemical reactivity. The effects of different substituents on the density, enthalpy of formation, heat of explosion, detonation velocity and pressure, and sensitivity of the azobis(tetrazole) derivatives have been investigated. Compound 9 with nitro was found to have remarkable detonation performances (D = 9.61 km/s, P = 42.14 GPa), which are close to the excellent explosive CL‐20. Results show that compounds 1 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 11, and 12 have high potential to replace RDX. It is surprising that compounds 1 , 3 , 9, and 12 possess better energetic properties than HMX. These novel substituted azobis(tetrazoles) with unique N10 structure may be promising candidates of HEDMs with outstanding performance and acceptable sensitivities.     

Theoretical studies on 2‐(5‐amino‐3‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazolyl)‐3,5‐dinitropyridine (PRAN) and its derivatives

In this work, a set of derivatives of 2‐(5‐amino‐3‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazolyl)‐3,5‐dinitropyridine (PRAN) with different energetic substituents (?N₃, –NO₂, –NH₂, –NF₂) have been studied at the Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr/aug‐cc‐pvdz, Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr/6‐31G(d), Becke, three‐parameter, Perdew 86/6‐31G(d), and Becke three‐parameter, Perdew–Wang 91/6‐31G(d,p) levels of density functional theory. The gas‐phase heats of formation were predicted with isodesmic reactions and the condensed‐phase HOFs were estimated with the Politzer approach. The effects of different functionals and basis sets were analyzed. –N₃ and –NO₂ greatly increase while –NH₂ and –NF₂ slightly decrease heats of formation. An analysis of the bond dissociation energies and impact sensitivity shows that all compounds have good stability. The crystal densities (1.82–2.00 g/cm³) computed from molecular packing calculations are big for all compounds and that of the –NF₂ derivative is the largest. All derivatives have higher detonation velocity and detonation pressure than PRAN. Compounds 3 and 4 (R = NO₂ and NF₂) have better performance than hexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐trizine and the performance of 4 is quite close to that of 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazacyclooctane, they are promising candidates of high energy compounds and worth further investigations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical investigations of pyridine derivatives as potential high energy density materials

Density function theory has been employed to study pyridine derivatives at the B3LYP/6‐31 G(d,p) and B3P86/6‐31 G(d,p) levels. The crystal structures were obtained by molecular mechanics methods. The heats of formation (HOFs) were predicted based on the isodesmic reactions. Detonation performance was evaluated by using the Kamlet–Jacobs equations based on the calculated densities and HOFs. The thermal stability of the title compounds was investigated by the bond dissociation energies and the energy gaps (ΔE_LUMO?HOMO) predicted. It is found that there are good linear relationships between detonation velocity, detonation pressure, and the number of nitro group. The simulation results reveal that molecule G performs similar to the famous explosive HMX and molecule D outperforms HMX. According to the quantitative standard of energetics and stability as high energy density materials, molecule D essentially satisfies this requirement. These results provide basic information for molecular design of novel high energetic density materials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Strategy of improving the stability and detonation performance for energetic material by introducing the boron atoms

A novel stable energetic compound (E)‐1,2‐diamino‐1,2‐dinitrodiboron (DANB) was theoretically designed based on the structure of 1,1‐diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethene (FOX‐7). Atomization method in combination with Hess' law was used to predict the heat of formation. The detonation velocity (D) and detonation pressure (P) of DANB were approximatively estimated by using Kamlet–Jacobs equations. As a result, DANB has huge heat of formation (2013.5 kJ/mol) and specific enthalpy of combustion (?26.4 kJ/g). Furthermore, DANB possesses high crystal density (1.85 g/cm³) and heat of detonation (5476.0 cal/g), which lead to surprising detonation performance (D = 10.72 km/s, P = 51.9 GPa) that is greater than those of FOX‐7 (D = 8.63 km/s, P = 34.0 GPa) and CL‐20 (D = 9.62 km/s, P = 44.1 GPa). More importantly, DANB is very stable because its bond dissociation energy of the weakest bond (BDE = 357.8 kJ/mol) is larger than those of the most common explosives, such as FOX‐7 (BDE = 200.4 kJ/mol), CL‐20(BDE = 209.2 kJ/mol), HMX(BDE = 165.7 kJ/mol), and RDX (BDE = 161.4 kJ/mol). Therefore, our results show that DANB is a promising candidate for stable and powerful energetic material.     

Theoretical study of energetic trinitromethyl‐substituted tetrazole and tetrazine derivatives

Density functional theory method was used to study the heats of formation, energetic properties, and thermal stability for a series of trinitromethyl‐substituted tetrazole and tetrazine derivatives with different substituents. It is found that the group ―NO₂, ―NHNO₂, or ―NF₂ play a very important role in increasing the heats of formation of the derivatives. The calculated detonation velocities and pressures indicate that the group ―CF₂NF₂, ―NHNO₂, ―1H‐tetrazolyl, ―2H‐tetrazolyl, or ―1,2,4,5‐tetrazinyl is an effective structural unit for enhancing their detonation performance. An analysis of the bond dissociation energies for several relatively weak bonds indicates that incorporating the group ―NHNO₂ and ―NH₂ into parent ring decreases their thermal stability. Considering the detonation performance and thermal stability, 37 compounds may be considered as the potential high‐energy compounds. Their oxygen balances are close to zero. These results provide basic information for the molecular design of novel high‐energy compounds. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computational study of pyrazine‐based derivatives and their N‐oxides as high energy materials

Gas‐phase heats of formation (HOF), solid‐phase HOF, detonation properties, electronic structure and thermal stability for a series of polynitro pyrazine derivatives containing three heterocycles have been investigated using density functional theory. It is found that the nitro group is an efficient tool to improve HOF of pyrazine derivatives. Furthermore, detonation velocities and detonation pressures of these compounds are evaluated using empirical Kamlet–Jacobs equations. As a result, it indicates that the nitro group is useful to enhance detonation properties. Detonation velocities of five compounds are 9.67, 9.20, 9.74, 9.76 and 9.87 km/s, respectively, which are significantly larger than that of HMX (9.10 km/s). Bond dissociation energy is also performed to investigate their thermal stability, showing that thermal stability of these compounds is little affected by nitro groups or the position of substituent groups. Considering solid‐phase HOF, detonation properties and thermal stability, some of pyrazine derivatives can be potential high energy density materials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nondoped blue fluorescent OLED based on cyanophenanthrimidazole‐styryl‐triphenylamine/carbazole materials

New 2‐(4′‐9H‐carbazole‐9‐yl)‐styryl‐1H‐phenathro[9,10‐d]imidazole‐1‐yl)benzonitrile (SPICN‐Cz) and 4‐(2‐(4‐(diphenylamino)phenyl‐styryl‐1H‐phenathro[9,10‐d]imidazole‐1‐yl)benzonitrile (SPICN‐TPA) have been synthesised, and their photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescent properties were analysed in comparison with their cyano‐free parent compounds, SPI‐Cz, and SPI‐TPA. Solvatochromic effects show the transformation of an excited state character from locally excited (LE) state to charge transfer (CT) state. Using time‐dependent density functional theory calculation, the excited state properties of these donor‐acceptor blue emissive materials have been analysed. Their excited state properties have been tuned by replacing the strong donor triphenylamine to weak donor carbazole to achieve the combination of high photoluminance efficiency locally excited (LE) component and high exciton‐utilizing CT component in one excited state. Hybridization processes between LE and CT components of SPICN‐Cz and SPICN‐TPA in the emissive state have been discussed. The nondoped organic light emitting diode device based on SPICN‐Cz exhibit better electroluminescent performances than those of SPICN‐TPA–based device: high external quantum efficiency of 2.58 %, current efficiency of 2.90 cd A^‐1, and power efficiency of 2.26 lm W^‐1 with Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.15, 0.12). The excited state modulation and the composition of LE and CT states in the donor‐acceptor system could be useful to design low‐cost, high‐efficiency fluorescent organic light emitting diode materials.     

Computer simulations and analysis of structural and energetic features of crystalline cage energetic compound: 2, 4, 6, 8, 12‐pentanitro‐10‐(3, 5, 6‐trinitro (2‐pyridyl))‐2, 4, 6, 8, 12‐hexaazatetracyclo [5.5.0.03,11.05,9]dodecane

First principles molecular orbital and plane‐wave ab initio calculations have been used to investigate the structural and energetic properties of a new cage compound 2, 4, 6, 8, 12‐pentanitro‐10‐(3, 5, 6‐trinitro (2‐pyridyl))‐2, 4, 6, 8, 12‐hexaazatetracyclo [5.5.0.0^3,11.0^5,9]dodecane (PNTNPHATCD) in both the gas and solid phases. The molecular orbital calculations using the density functional theory methods at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level indicate that both the heat of formation and strain energy of PNTNPHATCD are larger than those of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12‐hexanitro‐2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12‐hexaazatetracyclo [5.5.0.0.0] dodecane (CL‐20). The infrared spectra and the thermodynamic property in gas phase were predicted and discussed. The calculated detonation characteristics of PNTNPHATCD estimated using the Kamlet–Jacobs equation equally matched with those of CL‐20. Bond‐breaking results on the basis of natural bond orbital analysis imply that C–C bond in cage skeleton, C–N bond in pyridine, and N–NO₂ bond in the side chain of cage may be the trigger bonds in the pyrolysis. The structural properties of PNTNPHATCD crystal have been studied by a plane‐wave density functional theory method in the framework of the generalized gradient approximation. The crystal packing predicted using the Condensed‐phase Optimized Molecular Potentials for Atomistic Simulation Studies (COMPASS) force fields belongs to the Pbca space group, with the lattice parameters a = 20.87 Å, b = 24.95 Å, c = 7.48 Å, and Z = 8, respectively. The results of the band gap and density of state suggest that the N–NO₂ bond in PNTNPHATCD may be the initial breaking bond in the pyrolysis step. As the temperature increases, the heat capacity, enthalpy, and entropy of PNTNPHATCD crystal all increase, whereas the free energy decreases. Considering that the cage compound has the better detonation performances and stability, it may be a superior high energy density compound. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative theoretical studies of high energetic cyclic nitramines

Density functional theory studies on cyclic nitramines were performed at B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level. The crystal structures were obtained by molecular packing calculations. Heats of formation (HOFs) were predicted through designed isodesmic reactions. Results indicate that the value of HOF relates to the number of =N–NO₂ group and aza nitrogen atom and increases with the augment of the number of =N–NO₂ group and aza nitrogen atom for cyclic nitramines. Detonation performance was evaluated by using the Kamlet–Jacobs equations based on the calculated densities and HOFs. All the cyclic nitramines exhibit better detonation performance than 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane and 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetraazacyclooctane. The stability of cyclic nitramines was investigated by the bond dissociation energies. The result shows that the increase of =N?NO₂ group or aza nitrogen atom reduces the stability of the title compounds. These results provide basic information for molecular design of novel high energetic density materials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Li‐, Sb‐ and Ta‐modified (K,Na)NbO3 nanopowder prepared via a water‐based sol–gel method

Stable Li‐, Sb‐ and Ta‐modified (K, Na)NbO₃ (LTS‐KNN) sol and gel were successfully prepared via an economical water‐based sol–gel method. Simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC) and X‐ray diffraction showed that organic compounds were eliminated and a pure perovskite phase formed around 600 °C. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the LTS‐KNN particle size was in the range of 11–34 nm after decomposition at 600 °C. Moreover, high performance LTS‐KNN ceramic was successfully prepared at a low sintering temperature of 1000 °C by use of the nanopowder, and its room‐temperature d₃₃, K_p, K and loss are 311 pC/N, 46.8%, 1545 and 0.024, respectively. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Photoinduced electron‐transfer reactions of tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II)‐based carbonic anhydrase inhibitors tethering plural binding sites

Tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complex‐based carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitors, [Ru(bpy)₂(bpydbs)]²⁺ {bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine and bpydbs = 2,2′‐bipyridinyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxilic acid bis[(2‐{2‐[2‐(4‐sulfamoylbenzoylamino)ethoxy]ethoxy}ethyl)amide]} and [Ru(bpydbs)₃]²⁺, tethering plural benzenesulfonamide groups have been prepared. The CA catalytic activity was effectively suppressed by these synthetic [Ru(bpy)₂(bpydbs)]²⁺ and [Ru(bpydbs)₃]²⁺ inhibitors, and their dissociation constants at pH = 7.2 and at 25°C were determined to be K_I = 0.93 ± 0.02 μM and K_I = 0.24 ± 0.03 μM, respectively. Next, 2 photoinduced electron‐transfer (ET) systems comprising a Ru²⁺‐CA complex and an electron acceptor, such as chloropentaamminecobalt(III) ([CoCl(NH₃)₅]²⁺) or methylviologen (MV²⁺) were studied. In the presence of CA and a sacrificial electron acceptor, such as pentaamminechlorocobalt(III) complex, the photoexcited triplet state of ³([Ru(II)]²⁺)* was quenched through an intermolecular photoinduced ET mechanism. In case of the [Ru(bpydbs)₃]²⁺‐CA‐MV²⁺ system, the photoexcited triplet state of ³([Ru(bpydbs)₃]²⁺)* was quenched by sacrificial quencher through an intermolecular photoinduced ET mechanism, giving the oxidized [Ru(bpydbs)₃]³⁺. Then the following intramolecular ET from the amino acid residue, Tyr6, near the active site of CA proceeded. We observed a transient absorption around at 410 nm, arising from the formation of a Tyr^?+ in the [Ru(bpydbs)₃]²⁺‐CA‐MV²⁺ system. These artificial Ru(II)‐CA systems may clearly demonstrate both intermolecular and intramolecular photoinduced ET reactions of protein and could be one of the interesting models of the ET proteins. Their photophysical properties and the detailed ET mechanisms are discussed in order to clarify the multistep ET reactions.     

Near‐3‐MeV protons from target‐normal‐sheath‐acceleration femtosecond laser irradiating advanced targets

Advanced targets based on graphene oxide and gold thin film were irradiated at high laser intensity (10¹⁸–10¹⁹ W/cm²) with 50‐fs laser pulses and high contrast (10⁸) to investigate ion acceleration in the target‐normal‐sheath‐acceleration regime. Time‐of‐flight technique was employed with SiC semiconductor detectors and ion collectors in order to measure the ion kinetic energy and to control the properties of the generated plasma. It was found that, at the optimized laser focus position with respect to the target, maximum proton acceleration up to about 3 MeV energy and low angular divergence could be generated. The high proton energy is explained as due to the high electrical and thermal conductivity of the reduced graphene oxide structure. Dependence of the maximum proton energy on the target focal position and thickness is presented and discussed.     

Trans‐2‐Aminocyclohexanol derivatives as pH‐triggered conformational switches

A series of trans‐2‐aminocyclohexanol derivatives have been explored as powerful conformational pH triggers. On protonation of the amino group, a conformer with equatorial position of ammonio and hydroxy groups becomes predominant because of an intramolecular hydrogen bond and electrostatic interactions. The energy of these interactions was estimated to be above 10 kJ/mol and in some models exceeded 20 kJ/mol (strong enough to twist a ring in tert‐butyl derivatives). As a result of this conformational flip, all other substituents are forced to change their orientation. If the substituents are designed to perform certain geometry‐dependent functions, for example, as cation chelators or as lipid tails, such acid‐induced transition may be used to control the corresponding molecular properties. The pH sensitivity of conformational equilibria was explored by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and the titration curves were used for estimation of the pK_a values of protonated compounds that varied from 2.6 to 8.5 (in d₄‐methanol) depending on the structure of amino group. Thus, trans‐2‐aminocyclohexanols can be also used as conformational pH indicators in organic solvents.     

Liquid‐Crystal‐Mediated Self‐Assembly of Porous α‐Fe2O3 Nanorods on PEDOT:PSS‐Functionalized Graphene as a Flexible Ternary Architecture for Capacitive Energy Storage

A novel aqueous‐based self‐assembly approach to a composite of iron oxide nanorods on conductive‐polymer (CP)‐functionalized, ultralarge graphene oxide (GO) liquid crystals (LCs) is demonstrated here for the fabrication of a flexible hybrid material for charge capacitive application. Uniform decoration of α‐Fe₂O₃ nanorods on a poly(3,4‐ethylene‐dioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)‐functionalized, ultralarge GO scaffold results in a 3D interconnected layer‐by‐layer (LBL) architecture. This advanced interpenetrating network of ternary components is lightweight, foldable, and possesses highly conductive pathways for facile ion transportation and charge storage, making it promising for high‐performance energy‐storage applications. Having such structural merits and good synergistic effects, the flexible architecture exhibits a high specific discharge capacitance of 875 F g^?1 and excellent volumetric specific capacitance of 868 F cm^?3 at 5 mV s^?1, as well as a promising energy density of 118 W h kg^?1 (at 0.5 A g^?1) and promising cyclability, with capacity retention of 100% after 5000 charge–discharge (CD) cycles. This synthesis method provides a simple, yet efficient approach for the solution‐processed LBL insertion of the hematite nanorods (HNR) into CP‐functionalized novel composite structure. It provides great promise for the fabrication of a variety of metal‐oxide (MO)‐nanomaterial‐based binder and current collector‐free flexible composite electrodes for high‐performance energy‐storage applications.     

Ultrasensitive PbS‐Quantum‐Dot Photodetectors for Visible–Near‐Infrared Light Through Surface Atomic‐Ligand Exchange

A surface atomic‐ligand exchange method is applied the first time in the construction of photodetectors (PDs) based on PbS quantum dots (QDs) for ultrasensitivity. The device thus produces a high photosensitivity to visible and near‐infrared light with a photoresponsivity up to 7.5 × 10³ A W^?1 and a high stability in air. In particular, these PbS‐QD‐based PDs show the capability of following a pulse light with a frequency up to 100 kHz well at a relatively fast response time/recovery time of ≈4/40 μs, much faster than most previous QD‐based PDs. The short response time is attributed to modification for the surface of the PbS‐QDs by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide treatment, which effectively improves the contact between the QDs and the Au electrodes, leading to extracting a high carrier mobility (≈0.142 cm² V^?1 s^?1). These findings show the great potential of PbS‐QDs as high‐speed nano‐photodetectors, and, more importantly, demonstrate the importance of the surface atomic‐ligand exchange method in the construction of QD‐based devices.     

Some forensic applications of a combined micro‐Raman and scanning electron microscopy system

The structural chemical analyser (SCA) is a novel accessory that allows the analytical advantages of Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x‐ray detection (SEM/EDX) to be realised in a single hybridised instrument. The combined Raman–SEM/EDX system permits in situ characterisation of a sample based on both its molecular and elemental makeup. This article demonstrates the potential of using the SCA for interrogating trace evidence for criminalistic purposes. Illustrative evidentiary examples (taken from our laboratory's archives) include the examination of a white paint fragment consisting of several layers of the same colour and a sample of explosive mixture recovered from a place of interest. The sensitive SEM imaging contrast mechanisms enabled the optically identical multiple layers of the white paint to be distinguished easily. The individual layers were then unambiguously analysed to establish their elemental profile (from energy dispersive x‐ray (EDX)) and this was cross‐referenced with the chemical information derived from in situ Raman measurements. X‐ray mapping was used as a fast and convenient way of characterising simultaneously multiple solids constituting the explosive mixture. Typical particles were targeted and analysed both by EDX and Raman spectroscopy revealing an unusual chlorate‐based energetic mixture that also contained 2, 4, 6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 2, 4, 6‐trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (Tetryl). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.