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Title: Selective Gas-Phase Capture of Explosives on Metal Beta-diketonate Polymers

Journal Article · · Journal of Chromatography A, 1192(2):212-217

A variety of metal beta-diketonate polymers were assessed for gas-phase selective retention of nitro aromatic, nitrate ester, and peroxide explosives. La(dihed) showed 13-42 times the retention for the nitro aromatics compared to a control column (identical column but lacking the 5% loading of the metal beta-diketonate polymer). Nitrate esters, the peroxide explosive TATP, and the taggant DMDNB were too strongly retained to elute from the La(dihed) column; however, these compounds could be eluted from the less retentive Cu(dihed) or Zn(dihed) columns. A Kovats index of 2124 for TNT the on the La(dihed) column compared to 1662 on the control illustrates the excellent discrimination against non-polar hydrocarbons, the principal matrix interference expected in air samples. A proof-of-principle experiment demonstrated analysis of an extrapolated 47 part-per trillion(v/v) of TNT in an air extract concentrate.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
937027
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-58617; TRN: US200820%%345
Journal Information:
Journal of Chromatography A, 1192(2):212-217, Vol. 1192, Issue 2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English