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Visual Detection of Trace Nitroaromatic Explosive Residue Using Photoluminescent Metallole‐Containing Polymers
Author(s) -
Toal Sarah J.,
Sanchez Jason C.,
Dugan Regina E.,
Trogler William C.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00332.x
Subject(s) - explosive material , trinitrotoluene , picric acid , nitromethane , polymer , explosive detection , materials science , detection limit , luminescence , analyte , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , chromatography , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , composite material
The detection of trace explosives is important for forensic, military, and homeland security applications. Detection of widely used nitroaromatic explosives (trinitrotoluene [TNT], 2,4‐dinitrotoluene [DNT], picric acid [PA]) was carried out using photoluminescent metallole‐containing polymers. The method of detection is through the quenching of fluorescence of thin films of the polymer, prepared by spray coating organic solutions of the polymer, by the explosive analyte. Visual quenching of luminescence (λ em ≈400–510 nm) in the presence of the explosive is seen immediately upon illumination with near‐UV light (λ ex =360 nm). Detection limits were observed to be as low as 5 ng for TNT, 20 ng for DNT, and 5 ng for PA. In addition, experiments with normal production line explosives and their components show that this technology is also able to detect composition B, Pyrodex ® , and nitromethane. This method offers a convenient and sensitive method of detection of trace nitroaromatic explosive residue.