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Fast detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) from headspace using planar solid-phase microextraction (PSPME) coupled to an IMS detector

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Abstract

Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is a high explosive synthesized from easily available reactants making it accessible for illicit uses. In this study, fast detection of TATP is achieved using a novel planar solid-phase microextraction (PSPME) as a preconcentration and sampling device for headspace analysis offering improved sensitivity and reduced sampling time over the conventional fiber-based solid-phase microextraction (SPME) when followed by ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) detection. Quantitation and comparison of the retention capabilities of PSPME as compared to the commercially available SPME were determined using TATP standards and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for SPME analysis and a commercial IMS with no instrumental modification for PSPME. Static and dynamic headspace extractions were used and compared for PSPME extractions, in which low milligram quantities of TATP were detected within 30 s of static mode sampling and less than 5 s in the dynamic mode sampling for PSPME–IMS.

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Acknowledgments

The development of PSPME was supported by Award No. 2006-DN-BX-K027 from the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice. The authors would also like to acknowledge the University of Rhode Island DHS CoE for financial support for this project, and Dr. Jeannette Perr and Dr. Patricia Diaz for helpful discussions. In addition, the authors would also like to acknowledge Dr. Raymond S. Addleman from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the determination of the PSPME surface area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St. OE 116A, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Wen Fan, Mimy Young & Jose R. Almirall

  2. Department of Chemistry and DHS Center of Excellence on Explosives Detection, Mitigation and Response, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA

    Jon Canino, James Smith & Jimmie Oxley

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  1. Wen Fan
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  2. Mimy Young
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  3. Jon Canino
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  4. James Smith
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  5. Jimmie Oxley
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  6. Jose R. Almirall
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Correspondence to Jose R. Almirall.

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Fan, W., Young, M., Canino, J. et al. Fast detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) from headspace using planar solid-phase microextraction (PSPME) coupled to an IMS detector. Anal Bioanal Chem 403, 401–408 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-5878-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-5878-x

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