Analysis of explosives using electrospray ionization/ion mobility spectrometry (ESI/IMS)

Asbury, GR; Klasmeier, J; Hill, HH, Jr

HERO ID

662511

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2000

Language

English

PMID

18967826

HERO ID 662511
In Press No
Year 2000
Title Analysis of explosives using electrospray ionization/ion mobility spectrometry (ESI/IMS)
Authors Asbury, GR; Klasmeier, J; Hill, HH, Jr
Journal Talanta
Volume 50
Issue 6
Page Numbers 1291-1298
Abstract The analysis of explosives with ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) directly from aqueous solutions was shown for the first time using an electrospray ionization technique. The IMS was operated in the negative mode at 250 degrees C and coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer to identify the observed IMS peaks. The IMS response characteristics of trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2-ADNT), 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT), trinitrobenzene (TNB), cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine (RDX), cyclo-tetramethylene-tetranitramine (HMX), dinitro-ethyleneglycol (EGDN) and nitroglycerine (NG) were investigated. Several breakdown products, predominantly NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-), were observed in the low-mass region. Nevertheless, all compounds with the exception of NG produced at least one ion related to the intact molecule and could therefore be selectively detected. For RDX and HMX the [M+Cl(-)](-) cluster ion was the main peak and the signal intensities could be greatly enhanced by the addition of small amounts of sodium chloride to the sprayed solutions. The reduced mobility constants (K(0)) were in good agreement with literature data obtained from experiments where the explosives were introduced into the IMS from the vapor phase. The detection limits were in the range of 15-190 mug l(-1) and all calibration curves showed good linearity. A mixture of TNT, RDX and HMX was used to demonstrate the high separation potential of the IMS system. Baseline separation of the three compounds was attained within a total analysis time of 6.4 s.
Doi 10.1016/s0039-9140(99)00241-6
Pmid 18967826
Wosid WOS:000084050400018
Url https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0039914099002416
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword electrospray ionization; ion mobility spectrometry; reduced mobility constants; baseline separation
Is Qa No