Generation of energetic compounds for calibration of explosives vapor detectors

The use of explosive-detection systems has increased worldwide for preventing terrorist activities. Because of the variety of explosives materials available and the mostly low vapor pressure of explosives, the task of energetic detection is extremely difficult. Many developments are headed in trace vapor detection ranging from electrochemical sensors, mass sensors (SAW, QCM), optical sensors (based on fiber optic, absorption, photoluminescence, fluorescence, laser or terahertz spectroscopy), microdetector (MEMS) or based on carbon nanotubes devices. But at the same time, accurate calibration and standard test explosives vapor must be generated at such low traces levels to testing commercial instruments or developing the above detection devices, particularly in presence of relative humidity or interfering compounds. A continuous-flow trace vapor source of nitroaromatics (2, 4-DNT and 2, 4, 6-TNT) was designed and evaluated in terms of temperature dependence. Concentrations were evaluated by analytical system (UV spectroscopy). Evaluations of the detection limit by UV spectroscopy were realized for a fluorescence sensor based on pi conjugated films.