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Micellar electrokinetic chromatography of organic and peroxide-based explosives
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 10:14 authored by Johns, C, Hutchinson, JP, Rosanne Guijt, Emily HilderEmily Hilder, Paul HaddadPaul Haddad, Miroslav MackaMiroslav Macka, Nesterenko, PN, Adam GaudryAdam Gaudry, Gregory Dicinoski, Michael BreadmoreMichael BreadmoreCE methods have been developed for the analysis of organic and peroxide-based explosives. These methods have been developed for deployment on portable, in-field instrumentation for rapid screening. Both classes of compounds are neutral and were separated using micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). The effects of sample composition, separation temperature, and background electrolyte composition were investigated. The optimised separation conditions (25 mM sodium tetraborate, 75 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate at 25 °C, detection at 200 nm) were applied to the separation of 25 organic explosives in 17 min, with very high efficiency (typically greater than 300,000 plates m−1) and high sensitivity (LOD typically less than 0.5 mg L−1; around 1–1.5 μM). A MEKC method was also developed for peroxide-based explosives (10 mM sodium tetraborate, 100 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate at 25 °C, detection at 200 nm). UV detection provided LODs between 5.5 and 45.0 mg L−1 (or 31.2–304 μM), which is comparable to results achieved using liquid chromatography. Importantly, no sample pre-treatment or post-column reaction was necessary and the peroxide-based explosives were not decomposed to hydrogen peroxide. Both MEKC methods have been applied to pre-blast analysis and for the detection of post-blast residues recovered from controlled, small scale detonations of organic and peroxide-based explosive devices.
Funding
Dept of Prime Minister & Cabinet
Australian Federal Police
History
Publication title
Analytica Chimica ActaVolume
876Pagination
91-97ISSN
0003-2670Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Elsevier Science BvPlace of publication
Po Box 211, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1000 AeRights statement
Copyright 2015 Elsevier B.V.Repository Status
- Restricted