Monitoring degradation processes of explosives by HPLC analysis with UV- and amperometric detection

The impact of spilled explosives, their by-products and degradation products on human beings and the environment has been recognised as a serious problem at areas of existing and former ammunition plants. In nature, aerobic and anaerobic degradation processes of explosives and their accompanying compounds yield polar contaminants with relatively high water solubilities. Most are potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic. An HPLC method applying UV-detection for nitroaromatic compounds and amperometric detection for aminoaromatic and phenolic compounds was used for monitoring the degradation of explosives in a polluted groundwater sample under natural conditions. Analysis was performed by direct injection of aliquots of the sample after exposition to daylight for different periods of time. Presented as a poster at the Anakon ’95 Conference in Schliersee, April 24–26, 1995     

Separation and enrichment of traces of explosives and their by-products from water by multiple micro liquid extraction for their determination by capillary gas chromatography

A fast sample preparation method for the trace determination of some exploxives, by-products and degradation compounds in water by capillary gas chromatography is described. It is based on multiple extractions of the water sample with sub-milliliter amounts of solvent and subsequent concentration of the unified extracts by reducing its volume to a few microliters according to Dünges. The most suitable solvent was methyl-tert.-butylether. With electron caption detection and an aqueous sample volume of 25 to 100 ml, the determination level is in the pg/ml range. Received: 3 May 1996 / Revised: 28 June 1996 / Accepted: 5 July 1996     

Two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography for the separation of complex mixtures of explosives and their by-products

Summary The insufficient ability of one dimensional HPLC to separate complex mixtures such as environmental samples can be overcome by using two dimensional systems combining columns with alternative/orthogonal selectivities. Such a system for the separation of complex mixtures of explosives, their by-products and degradation products from environmental samples was developed and evaluated. It makes use of the different retention characteristics of an alkyl modified silica and a safrol modified silica in the reversed phase mode. The high peak capacity of two dimensional systems predicted by theory was realized employing a flexible switching technique and utilizing differences in the elution strength of the mobile phases. Thus, peak compression on the head of the second column was exploited. The efficiency of the two dimensional system was demonstrated for the separation of a complex mixture of nitroaromatic reference compounds. Furthermore, the system was applied to separate and identify nitro and nitroamino organic compounds in a groundwater sample from a former ammunition plant. Presented at: Balaton Symposium on High-Performance Separation Methods, Siófok Hungary, September 3–5, 1997     

Thermal Analysis of Binary Systems. Explosive – lead compound

The thermal decomposition of explosives: pentaerythrol tetranitrate (PETN), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene(TNT), cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitroamine (RDX) and their two-component mixtures with 40% of lead compounds [PbO, Pb₃O₄, Pb(NO₃)₂] were performed. The simple method of determination of stability changes in the mixtures described above, in comparison with pure explosives was presented. The lead oxides accelerated significantly the thermal decomposition of explosives. Pb(NO₃)₂ acts as a catalyst in the mixture containing TNT degradation, but not in a case of PETN and RDX. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Modified solid electrodes for stripping voltammetric determination of tin

The paper describes the determination of tin by ASV using modified thick film electrodes. Three different types of electrodes were developed: One modified with a mixture of Nafion and mercury(II)acetate, one modified with diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) or pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDC) and mercury(II)acetate, and one modified with calomel. The analyte was accumulated on the electrode surface after special electrochemical pretreatment of the modified electrode. After recording the voltammogram the electrodes were electrochemically regenerated. By virtue of their lifetime and their measurement reproducibility, we preferred the DDC and PDC modified electrodes. They can be used for months without changing their chemical characteristics. The linear range for tin determination with these electrodes is between 1 and 100 μg/L; the detection limit was calculated as 0.9 μg/L. The electrodes were applied to the direct determination of tin in different canned fruit juices without special sample pretreatment. Received: 20 December 1996 / Revised: 11 March 1997 / Accepted: 13 March 1997     

Modified solid electrodes for stripping voltammetric determination of tin

The paper describes the determination of tin by ASV using modified thick film electrodes. Three different types of electrodes were developed: One modified with a mixture of Nafion and mercury(II)acetate, one modified with diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) or pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDC) and mercury(II)acetate, and one modified with calomel. The analyte was accumulated on the electrode surface after special electrochemical pretreatment of the modified electrode. After recording the voltammogram the electrodes were electrochemically regenerated. By virtue of their lifetime and their measurement reproducibility, we preferred the DDC and PDC modified electrodes. They can be used for months without changing their chemical characteristics. The linear range for tin determination with these electrodes is between 1 and 100 μg/L; the detection limit was calculated as 0.9 μg/L. The electrodes were applied to the direct determination of tin in different canned fruit juices without special sample pretreatment. Received: 20 December 1996 / Revised: 11 March 1997 / Accepted: 13 March 1997     

Fabric analysis by ambient mass spectrometry for explosives and drugs

Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is applied to the rapid, in-situ, direct qualitative and quantitative analysis of mixtures of explosives and drugs from a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, denim, polyester, rayon, spandex, leather and their blends. The compounds analyzed were explosives: trinitrohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and the drugs of abuse: heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Limits of detection are in the picogram range. DESI analyses were performed without sample preparation and carried out in the presence of common interfering chemical matrices, such as insect repellant, urine, and topical lotions. Spatial and depth profiling was investigated to examine the depth of penetration and lateral resolution. DESI was also used to examine cotton transfer swabs used for travel security sample collection in the screening process. High throughput quantitative analysis of fabric surfaces for targeted analytes is also reported.     

Characterization of high explosive particles using cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry

The use of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for the detection and spatially resolved analysis of individual high explosive particles is described. A C(8) (-) carbon cluster primary ion beam was used in a commercial SIMS instrument to analyze samples of high explosives dispersed as particles on silicon substrates. In comparison with monatomic primary ion bombardment, the carbon cluster primary ion beam was found to greatly enhance characteristic secondary ion signals from the explosive compounds while causing minimal beam-induced degradation. The resistance of these compounds to degradation under ion bombardment allows explosive particles to be analyzed under high primary ion dose bombardment (dynamic SIMS) conditions, facilitating the rapid acquisition of spatially resolved molecular information. The use of cluster SIMS combined with computer control of the sample stage position allows for the automated identification and counting of explosive particle distributions on silicon surfaces. This will be useful for characterizing the efficiency of transfer of particulates in trace explosive detection portal collectors and/or swipes utilized for ion mobility spectrometry applications.     

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography and capillary electrochromatography of nitroaromatic explosives in seawater

The ability to separate nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives in seawater sample matrices is demonstrated using both MEKC and CEC. While several capillary-based separations exist for explosives, none address direct sampling from seawater, a sample matrix of particular interest in the detection of undersea mines. Direct comparisons are made between MEKC and CEC in terms of sensitivity and separation efficiency for the analysis of 14 explosives and explosive degradation products in seawater and diluted seawater. The use of high-salt stacking with MEKC results, on average, in a three-fold increase in the number of theoretical plates, and nearly double resolution for samples prepared in 25% seawater. By taking advantage of long injection times in conjunction with stacking, detection limits down to sub mg/L levels are attainable; however, resolution is sacrificed. CEC of explosive mixtures using sol-gels prepared from methyltrimethoxysilane does not perform as well as MEKC in terms of resolving power, but does permit extended injection times for concentrating analyte onto the head of the separation column with little or no subsequent loss in resolution. Electrokinetic injections of 8 min at high voltage allow for detection limits of explosives below 100 microg/L.     

Optimized thermal desorption for improved sensitivity in trace explosives detection by ion mobility spectrometry

In this work we evaluate the influence of thermal desorber temperature on the analytical response of a swipe-based thermal desorption ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) for detection of trace explosives. IMS response for several common high explosives ranging from 0.1 ng to 100 ng was measured over a thermal desorber temperature range from 60 °C to 280 °C. Most of the explosives examined demonstrated a well-defined maximum IMS signal response at a temperature slightly below the melting point. Optimal temperatures, giving the highest IMS peak intensity, were 80 °C for trinitrotoluene (TNT), 100 °C for pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), 160 °C for cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) and 200 °C for cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX). By modifying the desorber temperature, we were able to increase cumulative IMS signal by a factor of 5 for TNT and HMX, and by a factor of 10 for RDX and PETN. Similar signal enhancements were observed for the same compounds formulated as plastic-bonded explosives (Composition 4 (C-4), Detasheet, and Semtex). In addition, mixtures of the explosives exhibited similar enhancements in analyte peak intensities. The increases in sensitivity were obtained at the expense of increased analysis times of up to 20 seconds. A slow sample heating rate as well as slower vapor-phase analyte introduction rate caused by low-temperature desorption enhanced the analytical sensitivity of individual explosives, plastic-bonded explosives, and explosives mixtures by IMS. Several possible mechanisms that can affect IMS signal response were investigated such as thermal degradation of the analytes, ionization efficiency, competitive ionization from background, and aerosol emission.     

Differential Thermal Analysis of Rapid High Pressure Decompositions

Abstract

A simple sample handling technique for recording differential thermograms of volatile and/or high pressure producing compounds is described. The calculation of activation energies for several hydrazines and explosives is reported.     

Solid phase microextraction ion mobility spectrometer interface for explosive and taggant detection

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a rugged, inexpensive, sensitive, field portable technique for the detection of organic compounds. It is widely employed in ports of entry and by the military as a particle detector for explosives and drugs of abuse. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) is an effective extraction technique that has been successfully employed in the field for the pre-concentration of a variety of compounds. Many organic high explosives do not have a high enough vapor pressure for effective vapor sampling. However, these explosives and their commercial explosive mixtures have characteristic volatile components detectable in their headspace. In addition, taggants are added to explosives to aid in detection through headspace sampling. SPME can easily extract these compounds from the headspace for IMS vapor detection. An interface that couples SPME to IMS was constructed and evaluated for the detection of the following detection taggants: 2-nitrotoluene (2-NT), 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT), and 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB). The interface was also evaluated for the following common explosives: smokeless powder (nitrocellulose, NC), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (2,4,6-TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine (RDX), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). This is the first peer reviewed report of a SPME-IMS system that is shown to extract volatile constituent chemicals and detection taggants in explosives from a headspace for subsequent detection in a simple, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive manner.     

A new method for the determination of complexing agents in river water using HPLC

 An HPLC-method is described for the rapid and sensitive determination of NTA, EDTA and DTPA in surface and ground water at the sub-μg/L level. The analytes are enriched on anion-exchange cartridges, eluted with formic acid and analyzed on RP 8 columns within 6 min. Recoveries for EDTA and NTA were 110% resp. 94% at an interlaboratory test. They are significantly lowered when higher amounts of sulfate are present in the sample. Reproducibility and comparability with other methods are investigated. The new technique is faster than the well known GC-analysis. Received: 11 March 1996/Revised: 10 June 1996/Accepted: 21 June 1996     

A new method for the determination of complexing agents in river water using HPLC

 An HPLC-method is described for the rapid and sensitive determination of NTA, EDTA and DTPA in surface and ground water at the sub-μg/L level. The analytes are enriched on anion-exchange cartridges, eluted with formic acid and analyzed on RP 8 columns within 6 min. Recoveries for EDTA and NTA were 110% resp. 94% at an interlaboratory test. They are significantly lowered when higher amounts of sulfate are present in the sample. Reproducibility and comparability with other methods are investigated. The new technique is faster than the well known GC-analysis. Received: 11 March 1996/Revised: 10 June 1996/Accepted: 21 June 1996     

Determination of tin in marine sediment slurries by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using palladium-magnesium nitrate as chemical modifier

 A method was optimized for the determination of tin in slurries of marine sediment samples using palladium-magnesium nitrate as chemical modifier and Triton X-100 (0.1%) surfactant as stabilizer. To obtain a complete pyrolysis of the slurry sample, two charring steps were used, the first at 480 °C and the second at 1300 °C. The precision and accuracy of the method were studied using the Reference Material PACS-1 (marine sediment) from National Research Council Canada. The detection limit (LOD) was 57.6 μg kg^-1. The method was applied to the determination of tin in marine sediment samples from the Galicia coast. Received: 16 February 1996/Revised: 26 March 1996/Accepted: 12 April 1996     

Enzymatic interference-free assay for oxalate in urine

A potentiometric method for the determination of oxalate in urine is proposed. It is based on the biochemical reaction catalyzed by oxalate decarboxylase/pervaporation/stopped-flow. The method affords a linear determination range between 0.03 and 0.08 mmol/l and has been successfully applied to the determination of oxalate in urine with excellent agreement of the results with those obtained by the conventional method based on precipitation/dissolution and titration. The effectiveness of the pervaporation process makes sample pretreatment other than dilution unnecessary. Received: 20 March 1996 / Revised: 28 May 1996 / Accepted: 31 May 1996     

Highly accurate gas chromatographic analysis of reference gases for use in vehicle emission measurements

 A highly accurate gas chromatographic analytical method has been developed for the determination of the composition of gas mixtures. It was tested using a reference gas as an example consisting of 3.5% of CO, 14% of CO₂, 0.2% of propane and residual N₂ intended for the use in vehicle emission measurements. The method is based on comparison measurements with samples of a calibration gas, whose composition is iteratively adapted to that of the sample investigated using a gravimetric gas mixing method. For the gas chromatographic measurement, a molecular sieve column and a polymer column are used in parallel and in isothermal operation. All gas components can be determined by a single gas chromatographic measurement, and the relative uncertainty of measurement achievable is ?0.4%. Received: 6 March 1996/Revised: 30 May 1996/Accepted: 6 June 1996     

Enzymatic interference-free assay for oxalate in urine

A potentiometric method for the determination of oxalate in urine is proposed. It is based on the biochemical reaction catalyzed by oxalate decarboxylase/pervaporation/stopped-flow. The method affords a linear determination range between 0.03 and 0.08 mmol/l and has been successfully applied to the determination of oxalate in urine with excellent agreement of the results with those obtained by the conventional method based on precipitation/dissolution and titration. The effectiveness of the pervaporation process makes sample pretreatment other than dilution unnecessary. Received: 20 March 1996 / Revised: 28 May 1996 / Accepted: 31 May 1996     

Flow analysis preconcentration of Mg and Zn using emulsions for flame atomic absorption spectrometry

 A preconcentration method combining Water/ Oil/Water (W/O/W) emulsions with flow injection manifolds has been developed for determinations of Mg and Zn. The system consists of a mixing coil filled with Span 80 as a surfactant, palmitic acid or di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate as an extractant, kerosene as a solvent in the oil phase, and HCl in the inner aqueous phase to form W/O emulsions, an extraction coil for the sample solution to form W/O/W emulsions, a phase separator to waste the outer aqueous phase, a dry bath to demulsify W/O emulsions with 2-ethylhexanol, a phase separator to waste the oil phase, and an air pump to deliver the concentrated sample solution to the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This method proved to be excellent regarding the reproducibility, the rapidity, and the small quantity of sample, compared with the W/O/W emulsions method without the flow injection manifolds. The signal of flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) after preconcentration of Mg by this method was 2.4 times as large as that before preconcentration. Also, this method suppressed some interferences. The system was applied to FAAS determinations of Mg and Zn in duralumin alloys and Zn in commercial reagents. Received: 20 March 1996/Revised: 13 July 1996/Accepted: 20 July 1996     

Selenium determination by HG-ICPAES: Elimination of iron interferences by means of an ion-exchange resin in a continuous flow system

 An accurate procedure for the elimination of iron interferences in the determination of selenium in geological materials by the Hydride Generation – Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry technique (HG-ICPAES) is proposed. A selective removal of iron is achieved by on-line incorporation of a microcolumn filled with strongly acidic cation exchange resin (Dowex 50W-X8). The microcolumn manifold used was interfaced with the hydride generation manifold by a flow injection sample injection valve. After the removal of the iron, a 500 μl sample was injected into a carrier stream of water. This was merged with hydrochloric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate in order to generate the corresponding selenium hydride. The system was found to have a limit of detection of 0.4 ng ml^-1 and a relative standard deviation of 2% for 20 ng ml^-1 selenium. The application of the method on different Geochemical Standard Reference Samples demonstrated that results were statistically indistinguishable from certified values. Received: 7 March 1996 / Revised: 30 May 1996 / Accepted: 4 June 1996