@article{ref1,
title="Rapid detection of explosive vapors by thermal desorption - atmospheric pressure photoionization - differential mobility analysis - tandem mass spectrometry",
journal="Rapid communications in mass spectrometry",
year="2019",
author="McCulloch, Ross D. and Amo-González, Mario",
volume="33",
number="18",
pages="1455-1463",
abstract="RATIONALE: The increased frequency in the number of international terror threats has led to a corresponding increase in demand for fast, sensitive and reliable screening methods suitable for the detection of airborne explosive vapors. We demonstrate herein a workflow suitable for the determination of nitrogen-based explosives at the picogram level in just minutes. <br><br>METHODS: A method is described that combines Thermal Desorption (TD) sample introduction with Differential Mobility Analysis (DMA) - Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS), enabling a sensitive and accurate workflow suitable for the rapid detection of trace nitroaromatic, nitroester and nitramine explosive vapors. The methods are bridged using a novel low-flow, field-free Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization (APPI) source, intended specifically for the analysis of gas-phase analytes and airborne particles. <br><br>RESULTS: Limits of detection within or below the picogram range were determined for the analysis of a range of explosives standards including 2,6-DNT, TNT, TATB, Tetryl, RDX, EGDN, PETN, HMX, and NG. Practical application of the TD-APPI-DMA-MS/MS workflow was demonstrated for the detection of real trace explosive vapors produced from the volatilization of solid explosive samples stored within a sealed cardboard box. A single complete analysis was performed in less than two minutes. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The highly sensitive and accurate detection of a variety of common nitrogen-based explosive vapors has been demonstrated, at levels suitable for practical, high-throughput security screening applications.<br><br>This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0951-4198",
doi="10.1002/rcm.8492",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rcm.8492"
}