Conjugated polymer-based explosives sensor: Progresses in the design of a handheld device

This work addresses the development of a new handheld explosive sensor based on the AFP (Amplified Fluorescent Polymer) Technology. The polymer is the PF2T Ethyl Cellulose, a blue fluorescent polymer whose fluorescence is attenuated with the presence of nitroaromatics, like the vapours typically released by common explosives. We intend to contribute to the state of the art in the field of landmine odour vapour detection, by developing a simple, economic, portable, highly sensitive and easily calibrated explosives sensor. Preliminary testing results with nitrobenzene show the sensor's ability to detect the presence of that vapour in concentrations much lower than the ones corresponding to its vapour pressure.