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Direct detection of explosives on solid surfaces by mass spectrometry with an ambient ion source based on dielectric barrier discharge
Author(s) -
Zhang Chao,
Zhao Mengxia,
Zhang Sichun,
Yang Chengdui,
Fang Xiang,
Zhang Xinrong
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 1076-5174
DOI - 10.1002/jms.1243
Subject(s) - pentaerythritol tetranitrate , explosive material , chemistry , trinitrotoluene , detection limit , mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , dielectric barrier discharge , ion , dart ion source , ionization , trace amounts , chromatography , electron ionization , organic chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , electrode , pathology
Trace amounts of explosives on solid surfaces were detected by mass spectrometry at ambient conditions with a new technique termed dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI). By the needle–plate discharge mode, a plasma discharge with energetic electrons was generated, which could launch the desorption and ionization of the explosives from solid surfaces. Hexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine (RDX), 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) were desorbed directly from the explosives‐contaminated surface by DBDI, forming the typical anions of [TNT] − , [TNT − H] − , [RDX + NO 2 ] − , [PETN + ONO 2 ] − , and [RDX + ONO 2 ] − . The ions were transferred into the MS instrument for analysis in the negative ion mode. The detection limit of present method was 10 pg for TNT ( m / z 197, S/N 8 : 1), 0.1 ng for RDX ( m / z 284, S/N 10 : 1), and 1 ng for PETN ( m / z 260, S/N 12 : 1). The present method allowed the detection of trace explosives on various matrices, including paper, cloth, chemical fiber, glass, paints, and soil. A relative standard deviation of 5.57% was achieved by depositing 100 pg of TNT on these matrices. The analysis of A‐5, a mixture of RDX and additives, has been carried out and the results were consistent with the reference values. The DBDI‐MS method represents a simple and rapid way for the detection of explosives with high sensitivity and specificity, which is especially useful when they are present in trace amounts on ordinary environmental surfaces. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.