Ionization-enhanced decomposition of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) molecules

The unimolecular decomposition reaction of TNT can in principle be used to design ways to either detect or remove TNT from the environment. Here, we report the results of a density functional theory study of possible ways to lower the reaction barrier for this decomposition process by ionization, so that decomposition and/or detection can occur at room temperature. We find that ionizing TNT lowers the reaction barrier for the initial step of this decomposition. We further show that a similar effect can occur if a positive moiety is bound to the TNT molecule. The positive charge produces a pronounced electron redistribution and dipole formation in TNT with minimal charge transfer from TNT to the positive moiety.     

Integrated explosive preconcentrator and electrochemical detection system for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) vapor

This article reports on an integrated explosive-preconcentration/electrochemical detection system for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) vapor. The challenges involved in such system integration are discussed. A hydrogel-coated screen-printed electrode is used for the detection of the thermally desorbed TNT from a preconcentration device using rapid square wave voltammetry. Optimization of the preconcentration system for desorption of TNT and subsequent electrochemical detection was conducted yielding a desorption temperature of 120 °C under a flow rate of 500 mL min⁻¹. Such conditions resulted in a characteristic electrochemical signal for TNT representing the multi-step reduction process. Quantitative measurements produced a linear signal dependence on TNT quantity exposed to the preconcentrator from 0.25 to 10 μg. Finally, the integrated device was successfully demonstrated using a sample of solid TNT located upstream of the preconcentrator.     

Analysis of aqueous 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) using a fluorescent displacement immunoassay

We report a rapid, simple, and sensitive assay that is potentially amenable to high throughput screening for analysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) present in aqueous solutions. The assay is based on the change in fluorescence emission intensity of a fluorescently labeled TNT analogue pre-bound to an anti-TNT antibody that occurs upon its competitive displacement by TNT. The assay can be performed in both cuvette- and 96-well plate-based formats. TNT at a level of 0.5 micro g L(-1) (0.5 ppb) was detected in phosphate buffered saline; detection improved to 0.05 micro g L(-1) (0.05 ppb) for TNT dissolved in artificial seawater.     

Chemiluminescence determination of carbofuran at trace levels in lettuce and waters by flow-injection analysis

A simple, fast chemiluminescence (CL) flow-injection (FI) method based on the reaction of luminol with KMnO₄ in alkaline medium has been described for the direct determination of carbofuran. The method is based on the enhancing effect in the emission light from the oxidation of luminol produced in presence of carbofuran. The optimisation of instrumental and chemical variables influencing the CL response of the method has been carried out by applying experimental design, using the proposed flow-injection manifold. Under the optimal conditions, the CL intensity was linear for a carbofuran concentration over the range of 0.06-0.5 μg ml⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.02 μg ml⁻¹. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of carbofuran residues in spiked water and lettuce samples.     

Determination of sublimation rate of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) nano thin films using UV-absorbance spectroscopy

We report the in situ measurements of the sublimation rate and activation energy of continuous nanofilms of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in air using UV absorbance spectroscopy. The films were prepared using acetone-dissolved TNT by simple spin coating deposition technique. Unlike traditional mass loss techniques, this new method is independent of the surface area of the sample which contributes to errors in determining physical parameters accurately in both bulk and thin films of materials. The calculated activation energy and temperature-dependent sublimation rates agree well with the reported values for TNT thin films. The results suggest that UV absorbance spectroscopy is an efficient tool in measuring thermodynamic properties in the nanometer scale for materials with absorbance in the UV region of the electromagnetic spectrum.     

Analysis of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, pentaerythritol tetranitrate and cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine using negative corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry

In this study, the capability of negative corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) for quantitative magnitude of several explosives including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine (RDX) has been evaluated for the first time. The total current obtained with the negative corona discharge was about 100 times larger than that of IMS based on ⁶³Ni, which results in a lower detection limit and a wider linear dynamic range. The detection limits for PETN, TNT and RDX were 8×10⁻¹¹, 7×10⁻¹¹ and 3×10⁻¹⁰ g, respectively. The calibration plots for these explosives showed linear dynamic ranges of about four orders of magnitude.     

Multichannel homogeneous immunoassay for detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) using a microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis chip

A high-throughput homogeneous immunoassay for the sensitive detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) has been developed using radial capillary array electrophoresis microdevices. Samples consisting of equilibrium mixtures of anti-TNT antibody (Ab), fluorescein-labeled TNT, and various concentrations of unlabeled TNT were electrokinetically injected into 48 channels of a radial capillary array electrophoresis microchannel plate. The rapid electrophoretic separation allows us to analyze the equilibrium ratio formed by the competition between the labeled and the unlabeled TNT for Ab binding. The simultaneous parallel TNT separations facilitate determination of a calibration curve for the TNT assay, which has high sensitivity (LOD, 1 ng/mL) and a wide dynamic range (1-300 ng/mL).     

Determination of trace amounts of phosphate by flow-injection photometry

This paper describes a simple and rapid procedure for determination of traces of phosphate by means of molybdenum blue chemistry. The use of a cost-effective home-made flow cell with a long path length in combination with a light emitting diode (LED) and a photodiode (PD) is demonstrated as a simple absorbance detector for flow-injection analysis. In this method, a sample is injected into the carrier stream through an injection valve and mixed online with mixed reagent (a mixture of molybdate, bismuth, and ascorbic acid in sulfuric acid). The color intensity of the resulting association complex, molybdenum blue, is measured photometrically (_max 875 nm). The proposed method can be used to detect phosphate in the range 0.02–4.0 mg L^–1 and the precision of the proposed procedure is less than 5% at 0.1 mg L^–1 phosphorus as phosphate. The method has been successfully applied to a variety of natural water samples.     

Determination of cyanide using flow-injection multisensor system

A flow-injection multisensor system (FIMS) comprising potentiometric sensors of different types for determination of free cyanide activity in basic solutions for extraction of noble metals was developed. The solvent polymeric membrane sensors based on metalloporphyrin and crystalline sensors were combined in the sensor system. The system allowed determination of cyanide activity in the range 10⁻⁴–1 mol l⁻¹ with an error less than 5% in individual cyanide solutions and acceptable precision (about 20%) in process liquids. The system was able to analyse up to 20 samples per h. The FIMS was also applied to detecting of silver ions in the presence of cyanide. Chalcogenide glass sensor was used as the detector that ensured the precision of 20%.     

Spectrophotometric flow-injection analysis of mercury(II) in pharmaceuticals with p-nitrobenzoxosulfamate

A new, simple and rapid spectrophotometric FI method for the accurate and precise determination of Hg(II) in pharmaceutical preparations has been developed. The method is based on the measuring the decrease of absorbance intensity of p-nitrobenzoxosulfamate (NBS) due to the complexation with Hg(II). The absorption peak of the NBS, which is decreased linearly by addition of Hg(II), occurs at 430 nm in 2×10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ HNO₃ as a carrier solution. Optimization of chemical and FI variables has been made. A micro column consisting of several packing materials applied instead of reaction coil was also investigated. A background level of Fe(III) maintained in reagent carrier solution with NBS was found useful for sensitivity and selectivity. Under the optimized conditions, the sampling rate was over 100 h⁻¹, the calibration curve obtained were linear over the range 1-10 μg ml⁻¹, the detection limit was lower than 0.2 μg ml⁻¹ for a 20 μl injection volume, and the precision [S_r=1% at 2 μg ml⁻¹ Hg(II) (n=10)] was found quite satisfactory. Application of the method to the analysis of Hg(II) in pharmaceutical preparations resulted a good agreement between the expected and found values.     

Chemiluminescence determination of ferulic acid by flow-injection analysis using cerium(IV) sensitized by rhodamine 6G

A simple, sensitive and rapid flow-injection chemiluminescence method has been developed for the determination of ferulic acid based on the chemiluminescence reaction of ferulic acid with rhodamine 6G and ceric sulfate in sulphuric acid medium. Strong chemiluminescence signal was observed when ferulic acid was injected into the acidic ceric sulfate solution in a flow-cell. The present method allowed the determination of ferulic acid in the concentration range of 8.0x10(-6) to 1.0x10(-4)moll(-1) and the detection limit for ferulic acid was 8.7x10(-9)moll(-1). The relative standard deviation was 2.4% for 10 replicate analyses of 1.0x10(-5)moll(-1) ferulic acid. The proposed method was applied to the determination of ferulic acid in Taita Beauty Essence samples with satisfactory results.     

Mechanism of thermal unimolecular decomposition of TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene): a DFT study

The widespread and long-term use of TNT has led to extensive study of its thermal and explosive properties. Although much research on the thermolysis of TNT and polynitro organic compounds has been undertaken, the kinetics and mechanism of the initiation and propagation reactions and their dependence on the temperature and pressure are unclear. Here, we report a comprehensive computational DFT investigation of the unimolecular adiabatic (thermal) decomposition of TNT. On the basis of previous experimental observations, we have postulated three possible pathways for TNT decomposition, keeping the aromatic ring intact, and calculated them at room temperature (298 K), 800, 900, 1500, 1700, and 2000 K and at the detonation temperature of 3500 K. Our calculations suggest that at relatively low temperatures, reaction of the methyl substituent on the ring (C-H alpha attack), leading to the formation of 2,4-dinitro-anthranil, is both kinetically and thermodynamically the most favorable pathway, while homolysis of the C-NO(2) bond is endergonic and kinetically less favorable. At approximately 1250-1500 K, the situation changes, and the C-NO(2) homolysis pathway dominates TNT decomposition. Rearrangement of the NO(2) moiety to ONO followed by O-NO homolysis is a thermodynamically more favorable pathway than the C-NO(2) homolysis pathway at room temperature and is the most exergonic pathway at high temperatures; however, at all temperatures, the C-NO(2) --> C-ONO rearrangement-homolysis pathway is kinetically unfavorable as compared to the other two pathways. The computational temperature analysis we have performed sheds light on the pathway that might lead to a TNT explosion and on the temperature in which it becomes exergonic. The results appear to correlate closely with the experimentally derived shock wave detonation time (100-200 fs) for which only the C-NO(2) homolysis pathway is kinetically accessible.     

Plasmonic resonance energy transfer-based nanospectroscopy for sensitive and selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)

Here we report sensitive and selective detection of TNT based on plasmonic resonance energy transfer from a gold nanoplasmonic probe to conjugated target TNT molecules, leading to quenching on the Rayleigh scattering spectrum of the probe.     

流动注射胶束化学发光法测定曲克芦丁

基于HCl介质中曲克芦丁与KIO4-MnSO4反应产生强的化学发光,且吐温-80的存在能使这一反应的化学发光强度大大增强。结合流动注射技术,建立了流动注射化学发光法测定曲克芦丁的新方法。在优化的实验条件下,曲克芦丁的质量浓度在2.0×10-7~8.0×10-5g/mL范围内与化学发光强度呈良好的线性关系,检出限为7×10-8g/mL。对1.0×10-6g/mL曲克芦丁进行11次平行测定,方法的相对标准偏差为1.8%。用于曲克芦丁片剂和针剂中曲克芦丁的测定。     

Miniature flow-injection analysis manifold created by micromilling

The miniature flow injection analysis (μFIA) system is based on a mechanically engraved manifold in a PMMA-substrate. The channels have a trapezoidal cross-section with a depth of 150 μm and a width between 180 and 360 μm and the reactor volume is 3.75 μl. A light-emitting diode (LED) is used as radiation source for absorbance detection and optical fibres are used for transmitting light to and from the manifold. Computer controlled valves are used for directing the liquid flows maintained with syringe pumps. A sampling rate of approximately five determinations per minute was achieved with a reagent consumption of 10 μl min⁻¹. Four applications were implemented and tested; the performance was found to be comparable to that obtained with conventional FIA-set-ups despite the drastically reduced optical pathlength. Electrokinetic pumping was extensively evaluated but found to generally be very restricted in scope because the reagent solutions cannot usually be adapted to the requirements for generating the flow.     

流动注射胶束化学发光法测定西咪替丁的研究

在碱性条件下K3Fe(CN)6可直接氧化西咪替丁产生化学发光信号,吐温-80的存在可大大增强此反应的化学发光强度。基于此,建立了胶束流动注射化学发光法测定西咪替丁的新方法。在优化的实验条件下,该法的线性范围为1.0×10-7~5.0×10-4g/mL,检出限为2×10-8g/mL,相对标准偏差为1.6%(n=11,ρ=5.0×10-7g/mL)。该法已用于西咪替丁制剂中西咪替丁的测定。     

Controllable thermal degradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by absorption and confinement into mixed metal sponges

In this work, we report the absorption and confinement of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in porous metals (Ag, Ag/Al, and Ag/Cu), and the effect of the physical properties of the metal on the calorimetric properties of TNT using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The surface area and pore size distribution of the confiners were calculated to determine their effect on both the onset temperature and the rate at which TNT volatilizes. Confinement of TNT into the mixed metal sponges was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Overall, this study provides an insight into the fundamental factors influencing the properties of energetic materials under confinement that could potentially allow for more controlled and reliable degradation techniques depending on the characteristics of the porous material.     

A mediator-free screen-printed amperometric biosensor for screening of organophosphorus pesticides with flow-injection analysis (FIA) system

A mediator-free amperometric biosensor for screening organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) in flow-injection analysis (FIA) system based on anticholinesterase activity of OPs to immobilized acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) has been developed. The enzyme biosensor is prepared by entrapping AChE in Al₂O₃ sol-gel matrix screen-printed on an integrated 3-electrode plastic chip. This strategy is found not only increase the stability of the embedded AChE, but also effectively catalyze the oxidative reaction of thiocholine, making the Al₂O₃-AChE biosensor detects the substrate at 0.25 V (versus Ag/AgCl), hundreds mini-volt lower than other reported mediator-free ones. The Al₂O₃-AChE biosensor is thus coupled to FIA system to build up a simple and low-cost FIA-EC system for screening OPs in real samples. A wide linear inhibition response for dichlorvos, typical OP, is observed in the range of 0.1-80 μM, corresponding to 7.91-84.94% inhibition for AChE. The detection limit for dichlorvos is achieved at 10 nM in the simulated seawater for 15 min inhibiting time, which allows the biosensor quantitatively detects the ecotoxicological effect of the real samples from the seaports in eastern China, where the OPs pollution is confirmed by GC-MS.     

A flow-injection renewable surface sensor for the fluorimetric determination of vanadium(V) with Alizarin Red S

Vanadium(V) is determined by a simple bead injection spectroscopy–flow-injection analysis (BIS–FIA) system with spectrofluorimetric detection using a commercially available flow cell (Hellma 176-QS). The 500 μl of a homogeneous bead suspension of an anionic resin (Sephadex QAE A-25) previously loaded with the fluorogenic reagent 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone-3-sulfonic acid (Alizarin Red S) was injected to fill the flow cell. Next, V(V) is injected into the carrier and reacts with the immobilized reagent on the active solid support placed in the flow cell to form a fluorescent chelate in the absence of surfactant agents. The complex is so strongly retained on the beads that the regeneration of the solid support becomes extraordinarily difficult, so needing the renovation of the sensing surface which is achieved by means of bead injection. At the end of the analysis, beads are automatically discarded from the flow cell and transported out of the system by reversing the flow.

The measurement of fluorescence is continuously performed at an excitation wavelength of 521 nm and an emission wavelength of 617 nm. Using a low sample volume of 800 μl, the analytical signal showed a very good linearity in the range 2–60 ng ml⁻¹, with a detection limit of 0.45 ng ml⁻¹ and a R.S.D. (%) of 4.22 for 50 ng ml⁻¹ of V(V) concentration (n = 10). The sensor showed both a good selectivity, which could also be increased by the addition of EDTA and F⁻ as masking agents, and applicability to the determination of V(V) in waters, physiological samples (serum and urine) and mussel tissues.     

A simple and selective flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of copper(II) by using acetylsalicylhydroxamic acid

A new simple, and rapid flow-injection spectrophotometric method is developed for the determination of trace amounts of Cu(II) by using a new chromogenic reagent acetylsalicylhydroxamic acid (AcSHA). The method is based on the formation of colored Cu(II)-(AcSHA)₂ complex. The optimum conditions for the chromogenic reaction of Cu(II) with AcSHA is studied and the colored (green) complex is selectively monitored at λ_max 700 nm. With the reagent carrier solvent (dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and acetate buffer, pH 4.2) flow-rate of 1 ml min⁻¹, a detection limit (2S) of 1 μg l⁻¹ Cu(II) was obtained at a sampling rate of 80 sample h⁻¹. The calibration graph was linear in the Cu(II) concentration range 5-120 μg l⁻¹. The relative standard deviation (n=10) was 0.64% for a sample containing 60 μg l⁻¹ Cu(II). The detailed study of various interferences confirmed the high selectivity of the developed method. The method was successfully applied to determine trace amounts of copper(II) in river and seawater samples. The accuracy of the method was demonstrated by the analysis of standard reference materials C12X3500 and C14XHS 50.