A field test for the detection of peroxide-based explosives.
A rapid and simple field test for the detection of triacetone-triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylenetriperoxidediamine (HMTD), two explosives which find significant illegal use, has been developed. Unknown samples are first treated with a catalase solution to remove hydrogen peroxide traces, in order to provide selectivity towards peroxide-based bleaching agents which are contained in commercial laundry detergents. Subsequently, the peroxide-based explosives are decomposed via UV irradiation, thus yielding hydrogen peroxide, which is determined by the horseradish peroxidase (POD) catalysed formation of the green radical cation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonate (ABTS). The limits of detection for this method are 8 x 10(-6) mol dm(-3) for TATP and 8 x 10(-7) mol dm(-3) for HMTD, respectively. As an option, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (pHPAA) may be used as peroxidase substrate, resulting in lower limits of detection (8 x 10(-7) mol dm(-3) for TATP and HMTD). The complete method uses a mobile setup to be applied under field conditions.
Schulte-Ladbeck
Rasmus
R
University of Twente, Department of Chemical Analysis and MESA+ Research Institute, Enschede, The Netherlands.
Kolla
Peter
P
Karst
Uwe
U
D005107:Explosions; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D010545:Peroxides / Q000032:analysis*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D010545:Peroxides