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Explosives Detection Using Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) Mass Spectrometry
Author(s) -
Nilles J. Michael,
Connell Theresa R.,
Stokes Sarah T.,
Dupont Durst H.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.56
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1521-4087
pISSN - 0721-3115
DOI - 10.1002/prep.200900084
Subject(s) - dart ion source , explosive material , dart , analyte , mass spectrometry , analytical chemistry (journal) , sample preparation , elemental analysis , ambient ionization , materials science , ionization , chemistry , environmental chemistry , chromatography , computer science , chemical ionization , ion , organic chemistry , electron ionization , programming language
Abstract The growing use of explosives by terrorists and criminals creates a need for instrumentation which can rapidly analyze these energetic compounds, preferably on site. Direct analysis in real time (DART) is a promising technology for surface analysis with little or no sample preparation. Therefore, DART ionization is evaluated for use in detecting explosives on solid substrates and in liquid matrices. Fifteen explosives were chosen as a consequence of their common usage. Five surfaces were chosen to represent a wide range of physical properties such as composition, porosity, surface morphology, and thermal and electrical conductivity. Additionally these surfaces are commonly found in everyday surroundings. All 75 compound‐surface combinations produced a clear, easily identifiable, mass spectra characteristic of the targeted analyte. Simultaneous detection of five explosives is demonstrated on these same surfaces. Lastly, rapid detection of trace contamination in common fluids is also explored.