Deposits of β and α RDX on glass substrates have been examined with optical and Raman microscopy. The measurements reveal significant differences in the morphology and Raman spectra of β and α RDX. Structures that resemble an island, as well as scattered particles, are observed in white light images of β RDX. Well-defined crystals are observed in white light images of α RDX. The spectroscopic signature of these forms of RDX has marked differences in Raman frequencies and relative intensities. The transition from β to α RDX is driven by the amount of RDX deposited. There is a close agreement between measured and calculated vibrational frequencies for β and gas-phase RDX. A poor correlation is found between measured and predicted Raman intensities and depolarization ratios for β and gas-phase RDX, respectively. These differences lead us to conclude that the properties of β and gas phase RDX are markedly different, despite the similarities in the vibrational frequencies.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), white light imaging measurements, and Raman microscopy were employed for the characterization of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-s-triazine (RDX) nanoparticles deposited on glass substrate surfaces. The RDX nanoparticles were prepared by exposure of glass substrate surfaces to an aerosol jet containing RDX. The spectroscopic signature of RDX particles and the two known forms of the material, β and R RDX, are compared. Raman measurements reveal that RDX nanoparticles and β deposits have similar spectroscopic signatures between 750 and 1000 cm -1 .

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