Laser Desorption of Explosives from the Surface of Different Real-World Materials Studied Using C2Cl6-Dopant-Assisted Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Emanuel Mat’aš , Matej Petrík, Martin Sabo and Štefan Matejcˇ ík

A highly effcient and sensitive ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) system with laser desorption sampling was applied for rapid explosive detection using different surface materials. This portable IMS detector, powered by a battery, offers mobility and is suitable for use in the feld or combat zones. The laser desorption (LD) sampling of common explosives (Trinitrotoluene—TNT; Dinitrotoluenes—DNTs; Hexogene—RDX; pentaerythritol tetranitrate—PETN; plastic explosives— Compound 4 (C-4) and Semtex) on a wide range of common surface materials, such as metal, ceramic, plastic, glass, drywall, paper, wood, and textiles, was studied. Successful detection was achieved on nearly all surfaces except fammable materials (paper, wood, and textiles). The limit of detection (LOD) was determined for each explosive and specifc surface, demonstrating an impressive LOD of 7 ng/mm2 for TNT. RDX, C-4, PETN, and Semtex achieved LOD values of 15 ng/mm², while DNTs showed an LOD of approximately 50 ng/mm².