Detection and Analysis of Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) in Environmental Samples by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2010 · Journal of Raman Spectroscopy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.2574· OSTI ID:1034362

Abu Hatab, Nahla A ^[1]; Eres, Gyula ^[1]; Hatzinger, Paul B. ^[2]; Gu, Baohua ^[1]

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1. ORNL
2. Shaw Environmental, Inc., Lawrenceville, NJ

Techniques for rapid and sensitive detection of energetics such as cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) are needed both for environmental and security screening applications. Here we report the use of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect traces of RDX with good sensitivity and reproducibility. Using gold (Au) nanoparticles (~90-100 nm in diameter) as SERS substrates, RDX was detectable at concentrations as low as 0.15 mg/L in a contaminated groundwater sample. This detection limit is about two orders of magnitude lower than those reported previously using SERS techniques. A surface enhancement factor of ~6x104 was obtained. This research further demonstrates the potential for using SERS as a rapid, in-situ field screening tool for energetics detection when coupled with a portable Raman spectrometer.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Work for Others (WFO)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1034362
• Journal Information: Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, Vol. 41, Issue 4; ISSN 0377-0486
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

RDX
explosives
SERS detection
gold nanoparticles
groundwater