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Perez JJ, Brady JJ, Broderick A, Horan A, Pedersen K, Wilkins BP. Rapid Quantification of Ammonium Nitrate and Urea Nitrate Using Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2024; 96:1419-1426. [PMID: 38240047 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Resolution and sensitivity improvements in mass spectrometry technology have enabled renewed attempts at solving challenging analytical issues. One such issue involves the analysis of energetic ionic species. Energetic ionic species make up an important class of chemical materials, and a more robust and versatile analytical platform would provide tremendous value to the analytical community. Initial attempts at quantification of energetic ionic species employed high-resolution time-of-flight measurements with crown ether (CE) complexation and flow injection analysis (FIA). In this investigation, ammonium nitrate (AN) and urea nitrate (UN) in the presence of a crown ether complexation agent were explored by using high-resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry. Product ion scans of these signature complexes reveal positive identification of these energetic ionic species. Finally, quantification was demonstrated for both flow injection and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, suggesting the capability for routine and rapid analysis of these energetic ionic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny J Perez
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology Directorate, Transportation Security Laboratory, William J. Hughes Technical Center, Bldg. 315, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08405, United States
| | - John J Brady
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology Directorate, Transportation Security Laboratory, William J. Hughes Technical Center, Bldg. 315, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08405, United States
| | - Alicia Broderick
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology Directorate, Transportation Security Laboratory, William J. Hughes Technical Center, Bldg. 315, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08405, United States
| | - Andrew Horan
- Signature Science, LLC, 2819 Fire Rd. Suite A, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 08234, United States
| | - Kevin Pedersen
- Signature Science, LLC, 2819 Fire Rd. Suite A, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 08234, United States
| | - Benjamin P Wilkins
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science & Technology Directorate, Transportation Security Laboratory, William J. Hughes Technical Center, Bldg. 315, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08405, United States
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Sharma B, Gadi R. Analytical Tools and Methods for Explosive Analysis in Forensics: A Critical Review. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2023:1-27. [PMID: 37934616 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2023.2274927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes (i) compositions and types of improvised explosive devices; (ii) the process of collection, extraction and analysis of explosive evidence encountered in explosive and related cases; (iii) inter-comparison of analytical techniques; (iv) the challenges and prospects of explosive detection technology. The highlights of this study include extensive information regarding the National & International standards specified by USEPA, ASTM, and so on, for explosives detection. The holistic development of analytical tools for explosive analysis ranging from conventional methods to advanced analytical tools is also covered in this article. The most important aspect of this review is to make forensic scientists familiar with the challenges during explosive analysis and the steps to avoid them. The problems during analysis can be analyte-based, that is, interferences due to matrix or added molding/stabilizing agents, trace amount of parent explosives in post-blast samples and many more. Others are techniques-based challenges viz. specificity, selectivity, and sensitivity of the technique. Thus, it has become a primary concern to adopt rapid, field deployable, and highly sensitive techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhumika Sharma
- Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, Delhi, India
| | - Ranu Gadi
- Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, Delhi, India
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Michel P, Boudenne JL, Robert-Peillard F, Coulomb B. Analysis of homemade peroxide-based explosives in water: A review. Trends Analyt Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Mary Celin S, Sharma B, Bhanot P, Kalsi A, Sahai S, Tanwar RK. Trends in environmental monitoring of high explosives present in soil/sediment/groundwater using LC-MS/MS. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2022:e21778. [PMID: 35657034 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination by explosives occurs due to improper handling and disposal procedures. Explosives and their transformation products pose threat to human health and the ecosystem. Trace level detection of explosives present in different environmental matrices is a challenge, due to the interference caused by matrix components and the presence of cocontaminants. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is an advanced analytical tool, which is ideal for quantitative and qualitative detection of explosives and its metabolites at trace levels. This review aims to showcase the current trends in the application of LC-MS/MS for detecting explosives present in soil, sediment, and groundwater with detection limits ranging from nano to femtogram levels. Specificity and advantages of using LC-MS/MS over conventional analytical methods and various processing methods and techniques used for sample preparation are discussed in this article. Important application aspects of LC-MS/MS on environmental monitoring include site characterization and degradation evaluation. Studies on qualitative and quantitative LC-MS/MS analysis in determining the efficiency of treatment processes and contamination mapping, optimized conditions of LC and MS/MS adopted, role of different ionization techniques and mass analyzers in detection of explosives and its metabolites, relative abundance of various product ions formed on dissociation and the levels of detection achieved are reviewed. Ionization suppression, matrix effect, additive selection are some of the major factors which influence MS/MS detection. A summary of challenges and future research insights for effective utilization of this technique in the environmental monitoring of explosives are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthil Mary Celin
- Modelling Simulation and Explosive Safety research Group (MS&ESRG), Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), DRDO, Delhi, India
| | - Bhumika Sharma
- Modelling Simulation and Explosive Safety research Group (MS&ESRG), Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), DRDO, Delhi, India
| | - Pallvi Bhanot
- Modelling Simulation and Explosive Safety research Group (MS&ESRG), Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), DRDO, Delhi, India
| | - Anchita Kalsi
- Modelling Simulation and Explosive Safety research Group (MS&ESRG), Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), DRDO, Delhi, India
| | - Sandeep Sahai
- Modelling Simulation and Explosive Safety research Group (MS&ESRG), Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), DRDO, Delhi, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Tanwar
- Modelling Simulation and Explosive Safety research Group (MS&ESRG), Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), DRDO, Delhi, India
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Detection of Nitroaromatic Explosives in Air by Amino-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12081278. [PMID: 35457985 PMCID: PMC9027238 DOI: 10.3390/nano12081278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Nitroaromatic explosives are the most common explosives, and their detection is important to public security, human health, and environmental protection. In particular, the detection of solid explosives through directly revealing the presence of their vapors in air would be desirable for compact and portable devices. In this study, amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes were used to produce resistive sensors to detect nitroaromatic explosives by interaction with their vapors. Devices formed by carbon nanotube networks working at room temperature revealed trinitrotoluene, one of the most common nitroaromatic explosives, and di-nitrotoluene-saturated vapors, with reaction and recovery times of a few and tens of seconds, respectively. This type of resistive device is particularly simple and may be easily combined with low-power electronics for preparing portable devices.
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Aamir M, Irum S, Siddiq A, Batool HM, Ahmed N, Awais MH, Ali S. A novel method development and validation for determination of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene and its metabolites on LC-MS/MS. Anal Biochem 2022; 638:114496. [PMID: 34838816 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
LC-MS/MS has recently emerged as the best practice for simultaneous analysis of 2, 4, 6 Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its metabolites. We have developed and validated an LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of 2, 4, 6 Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its metabolites 4-ADNT, 2-ADNT, 2,4-DNT, and 2,6-DNT in urine samples. These four metabolites were acid hydrolyzed using 1 mL of urine followed by extraction using n-Hexane and ethyl acetate as an extracting solvent. Separation was achieved by centrifugation, and the supernatant was dried under nitrogen, reconstituted with water and acetonitrile, and then filtered. Chromatographic separation was achieved on Agilent Poroshel 120 EC-C18 column (2.1 mm × 75 mm × 2.7 μm) utilizing two mobile phases 0.1% formic acid in water and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile in gradient flow. The validated AMR of TNT and its metabolites was 7.8-1000 ng/mL. The method showed an excellent correlation (>0.99) for TNT and its metabolites. Accuracy and within/between day precision of TNT and its metabolites were within ±15%. The integrity of diluted samples was maintained for each dilution factor. The method was found stable after storage and freeze-thaw cycle. The presented method can be used for TNT screening in occupationally exposed ordnance factory workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Aamir
- Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
| | - Sobia Irum
- Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
| | - Amer Siddiq
- Watim Medical & Dental College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
| | - Hafiza Monaza Batool
- Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Forensic Toxicology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
| | - Nisar Ahmed
- Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Forensic Toxicology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Hamid Awais
- Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
| | - Sadiq Ali
- Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan; Forensic Toxicology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
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Arroyo Negrete MA, Wrobel K, Yanez Barrientos E, Corrales Escobosa AR, Enciso Donis I, Wrobel K. Determination of chromium(III) picolinate in dietary supplements by flow injection - electrospray ionization - tandem mass spectrometry, using cobalt(II) picolinate as internal standard. Talanta 2021; 240:123161. [PMID: 34953383 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.123161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a principle of flow injection analysis (FIA) was applied for sample introduction to an electrospray ionization - ion trap mass spectrometer (ESI-ITMS) with the aim to quantify chromium(III) picolinate (CrPic3) in commercial supplements by multiple reaction monitoring, and using cobalt(II) picolinate as internal standard (IS). FIA system was operated with ammonium formate 10 mmol L-1 in methanol-water (1:1, v/v) as a carrier solution at a flow rate 200 μL min-1; 100 μL injections were performed in 2-min intervals. Setting ion transitions m/z 419 → 270 and 304 → 260 for the analyte and IS, respectively, and 100 ms integration time, the method detection and quantification limits 12 ng g-1 and 40 ng g-1 of Cr (as CrPic3) in the air-dried powder. Acetonitrile extracts of the real-world samples presented varying from sample-to-sample chemical composition and IS efficiently compensated for ionization interferences. Mean results from triplicate analysis of four different supplements were obtained with relative standard deviation 0.1-4.0%, indicating acceptable precision. Trueness of the proposed FIA-ESI-ITMS/MS procedure was demonstrated by 95.8-108% percentage recoveries attained in the analysis of the CrPic3-spiked samples. For comparative purposes, total Cr was determined by ICP-MS. The quantitative results obtained indicate the necessity of analytical control of Cr(III) supplements commercially available and demonstrate that the proposed FIA-ESI-ITMS/MS procedure is well-suited for the determination of CrPic3 in such products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Missael Antonio Arroyo Negrete
- Chemistry Department, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, L. de Retana 5, 36000 Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Kazimierz Wrobel
- Chemistry Department, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, L. de Retana 5, 36000 Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Eunice Yanez Barrientos
- Chemistry Department, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, L. de Retana 5, 36000 Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Alma Rosa Corrales Escobosa
- Chemistry Department, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, L. de Retana 5, 36000 Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Israel Enciso Donis
- Chemistry Department, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, L. de Retana 5, 36000 Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Katarzyna Wrobel
- Chemistry Department, Division of Natural and Exact Sciences, University of Guanajuato, L. de Retana 5, 36000 Guanajuato, Mexico.
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Forbes TP, Lawrence J, Hao C, Gillen G. Open port sampling interface mass spectrometry of wipe-based explosives, oxidizers, and narcotics for trace contraband detection. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2021; 13:3453-3460. [PMID: 34291248 PMCID: PMC9972214 DOI: 10.1039/d1ay01038g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rapid screening for chemical traces of explosives and narcotics is widely used to support homeland security and law enforcement. These target compounds span a range of physicochemical properties from organic to inorganic, with preferential ionization pathways in both negative and positive mode operation. Nonvolatile inorganic oxidizers present in homemade fuel-oxidizer mixtures, pyrotechnics, and propellants create a unique challenge to traditional thermal desorption-based technologies. Developments in solid-liquid extraction techniques, specifically, open port sampling interface mass spectrometry (OPSI-MS) provide compelling capabilities to address these hurdles. In this proof of concept study, we investigated the trace detection of wipe-based (i.e., common swipe sampling collection method) explosives, oxidizers, and narcotics using an OPSI source and compact single quadrupole mass analyzer. The liquid dissolution and extraction capabilities of OPSI enabled detection of both traditional military-grade explosives and homemade explosive oxidizers. OPSI-MS sensitivities to a series of seven target compounds from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated fiberglass sampling wipes were on the order of several nanograms to sub-nanogram levels. Comparisons with direct solution-based sample analysis enabled quantification of wipe-based sample extraction effects. The system demonstrated quick temporal responses, polarity switching capabilities, and rapid signal decay with minimal carryover, all critical to high throughput screening applications. Coupling traditional swipe sampling with OPSI-MS offers a promising tool for contraband screening applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Forbes
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
| | - Jeffrey Lawrence
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
| | | | - Greg Gillen
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
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Klapec DJ, Czarnopys G, Pannuto J. Interpol review of detection and characterization of explosives and explosives residues 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:670-700. [PMID: 33385149 PMCID: PMC7770463 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature for the analysis and detection of explosives and explosives residues from 2016-2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/Resources/Documents#Publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J. Klapec
- United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Forensic Science Laboratory, 6000 Ammendale Road, Ammendale, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Greg Czarnopys
- United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Forensic Science Laboratory, 6000 Ammendale Road, Ammendale, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Julie Pannuto
- United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Forensic Science Laboratory, 6000 Ammendale Road, Ammendale, MD, 20705, USA
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Milligan K, Shand NC, Graham D, Faulds K. Detection of Multiple Nitroaromatic Explosives via Formation of a Janowsky Complex and SERS. Anal Chem 2020; 92:3253-3261. [PMID: 31927940 PMCID: PMC7145293 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b05062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Military-grade explosives such as 2,4,6-trinitroluene (TNT) are still a major worldwide concern in terms of terror threat and environmental impact. The most common methods currently employed for the detection of explosives involve colorimetric tests, which are known to be rapid and portable; however, they often display false positives and lack sensitivity. Other methods used include ion mobility mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), which despite producing more reliable results often require large, expensive instrumentation and specially trained staff. Here we demonstrate an alternative approach that utilizes the formation of a colored Janowsky complex with nitroaromatic explosives through reaction of the enolate ion of 3-mercapto-2-butanone. The colored complex is formed rapidly and can then be detected sensitively using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We demonstrate that SERS can be used as a quick, sensitive, and selective technique for the detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexanitrostillbene (HNS), and 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (tetryl) with a detection limit of 6.81 ng mL-1 achieved for TNT, 17.2 ng mL-1 for tetryl, and 135.1 ng mL-1 for HNS. This method of detection also requires minimal sample preparation, can be done in a solution-based format, and utilizes the same precursor reagents for complex formation with each of the explosives which can then be identified due to the specificity of the unique SERS response obtained. We demonstrate the ability to simultaneously identify three explosive compounds within a total analysis time of 10 min. This method of detection shows promise for the development of rapid and portable SERS-based assays which can be utilized in the field in order to achieve reliable and quantitative detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty Milligan
- Department
of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD, United Kingdom
| | - Neil C. Shand
- Defence
Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan Graham
- Department
of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Faulds
- Department
of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD, United Kingdom
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