Dopant-Assisted Positive Photoionization Ion Mobility Spectrometry Coupled with Time-Resolved Thermal Desorption for On-Site Detection of Triacetone Triperoxide and Hexamethylene Trioxide Diamine in Complex Matrices

Abstract

Peroxide explosives, such as triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylene trioxide diamine (HMTD), were often used in the terrorist attacks due to their easy synthesis from readily starting materials. Therefore, an on-site detection method for TATP and HMTD is urgently needed. Herein, we developed a stand-alone dopant-assisted positive photoionization ion mobility spectrometry (DAPP-IMS) coupled with time-resolved thermal desorption introduction for rapid and sensitive detection of TATP and HMTD in complex matrices, such as white solids, soft drinks, and cosmetics. Acetone was chosen as the optimal dopant for better separation between reactant ion peaks and product ion peaks as well as higher sensitivity, and the limits of detection (LODs) of TATP and HMTD standard samples were 23.3 and 0.2 ng, respectively. Explosives on the sampling swab were thermally desorbed and carried into the ionization region dynamically within 10 s, and the maximum released concentration of TATP or HMTD could be time-resolved from the matrix interference owing to the different volatility. Furthermore, with the combination of the fast response thermal desorber (within 0.8 s) and the quick data acquisition software to DAPP-IMS, two-dimensional data related to drift time (TATP: 6.98 ms, K0 = 2.05 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1); HMTD: 9.36 ms, K0 = 1.53 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)) and desorption time was obtained for TATP and HMTD, which is beneficial for their identification in complex matrices.

Improved analytical performance of photoionization ion mobility spectrometry for the rapid detection of organophosphorus pesticides using K0 patterns with multiple reactant ions

“…However, as depicted in Fig. 2, the ion peaks of dursban (K 0 ¼ 1.18 cm 2 V À1 s À1 ) and malathion (K 0 ¼ 1.17 cm 2 V À1 s À1 ) fully overlapped, and the peaks of when the applied high voltage was positive, the reactant ions (Ac) 2 H + (H 2 O) n were produced via the photoionization of the acetone dopant, 26 and then the OPP molecules were ionized by proton transfer reactions with (Ac) 2 H + (H 2 O) n , as described in reactions (1) and (2). (H 2 O) n , as described in reaction (4).…”

Detection of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) Precursors with an Array of Sensors Based on MoS2/RGO Composites

“…In 1895, Wolffenstein found and synthesized triacetone triperoxide (TATP) [2], which is a self-made explosive synthesized from the common chemicals acetone (C 3 H 6 O) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) found in daily life [3,4]. Because it is difficult to detect [5,6], it is more popular for terrorist activities [4,7,8,9,10]. Therefore, it is very important to carry out the continuous monitoring of TATP precursors (C 3 H 6 O and H 2 O 2 ) in public places [11,12].…”

Rapid detection of explosive vapors by thermal desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization differential mobility analysis tandem mass spectrometry

“…APPI has previously been applied to the analysis of explosive compounds, both in liquid samples and as trace vapors. For instance, Song et al used APPI to analyze a range of explosives in liquid samples by negative mode LC/MS; while Cheng et al and later Jiang et al demonstrated the detection of thermally desorbed explosive vapors using a custom‐built APPI‐IMS device, taking advantage of a basic time‐of‐flight ion mobility design. Their custom‐built APPI sources did not include an extended field‐free reaction region; however, they were able to demonstrate detection limits in the mid‐ to high‐picogram range for a variety of common explosive residues.…”