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Title: Analysis of Residual Explosives by Swab Touch Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Journal Article · · Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1]
  1. Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)
  2. Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Crane, IN (United States)

Abstract Swab touch spray ionization mass spectrometry, an ambient ionization technique, has been applied to the analysis of six explosives from various surfaces including glass, metal, Teflon, plastic, human hands and three types of gloves (nitrile, vinyl and latex). A swab, attached to a metallic handle, was used to sample explosive residues and acted as the ion source. The explosives, 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane (RDX), 1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocane (HMX), and 2,2‐bis[(nitrooxy)methyl]propane‐1,3‐diyl dinitrate (PETN) had an absolute limit of detection of 10 ng from all the surfaces except for PETN from the nitrile gloves (limit of detection 100 ng). Sodium perchlorate, 2‐methyl‐1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene (TNT) and tetra‐butylammonium perchlorate had limits of detection of 100 pg, 10 pg, and 1 pg, respectively from all surfaces. This study demonstrates the feasibility of swab touch spray ionization mass spectrometry for detection of a wide array of explosives from a variety of forensically applicable surfaces with disposable, commercial, tamperproof and individually‐wrapped conductive swabs without complicated/lengthy sample preparations or extractions.

Research Organization:
Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
FG02-06ER15807
OSTI ID:
1609707
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1473990
Journal Information:
Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, Vol. 43, Issue 11; ISSN 0721-3115
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 18 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (1)

Utilizing Surface Acoustic Wave Nebulization (SAWN) for the Rapid and Sensitive Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Organic Explosives journal October 2019