Surface-Enhanced Raman Detection of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Impurity Vapor as a Marker To Locate Landmines

Time, cost, and casualties associated with demining efforts underscore the need for improved detection techniques. Reduction in the number of false positives by directly detecting the explosive material, rather than casing material, is desirable. The desired field sensor must, at a minimum, demonstr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Analytical chemistry (Washington) 2000-12, Vol.72 (23), p.5834-5840
Main Authors: Sylvia, James M, Janni, James A, Klein, J. D, Spencer, Kevin M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis methods
Analytical chemistry
Applied sciences
Chemistry
Exact sciences and technology
Land mines
Pollution
Soil and sediments pollution
Spectrometric and optical methods
Spectrum analysis
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Summary:Time, cost, and casualties associated with demining efforts underscore the need for improved detection techniques. Reduction in the number of false positives by directly detecting the explosive material, rather than casing material, is desirable. The desired field sensor must, at a minimum, demonstrate reproducibility, the necessary level of sensitivity, portability, instrumental stability, and fast system response times. Ideally, vibrational spectroscopic techniques have the potential to remove false positives, since every chemical has a unique bond structure. Herein, we demonstrate the capabilities of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect the chemical vapor signature emanating from buried TNT-based landmines. We present reproducible results obtained from blind tests controlled by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that demonstrate vapor detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene at concentration levels of 5 ppb or less. The results presented used acquisition times of 30 s on a fieldable system and showed that SERS can be a significant improvement over current landmine detection methods.
ISSN:0003-2700
1520-6882
DOI:10.1021/ac0006573