Brady JJ, Judge EJ, Levis RJ. Identification of explosives and explosive formulations using laser electrospray mass spectrometry.
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2010;
24:1659-1664. [PMID:
20486263 DOI:
10.1002/rcm.4566]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Mass analysis is demonstrated for the detection of sub-microgram quantities of explosive samples on a metallic surface at atmospheric pressure using laser electrospray mass spectrometry (LEMS). A non-resonant femtosecond duration laser pulse vaporizes native samples for subsequent electrospray ionization and transfer into a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. LEMS was used to detect 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB), 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), 3,4,8,9,12,13-hexaoxa-1,6-diazabicyclo[4.4.4]tetradecane (HMTD), and 3,3,6,6,9,9-hexamethyl-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexaoxacyclononane (TATP) deposited on a steel surface. LEMS was also used to directly analyze composite propellant materials containing an explosive to determine the molecular composition of the explosive pellets at atmospheric pressure.
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