Improving Ion Mobility Spectrometry Detection Methods for Trace Forensics and Military Field Applications
Abstract
Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a proven technology for field portable detection of vapor phase explosive compounds due to its high sensitivity and rapid analysis. However, IMS technology is limited in identifying complex samples in the field due to poor resolution and limited dynamic range. Combining gas chromatography (GC) to IMS can overcome some of the limitations by separating the components in a mixture before detection; however, the addition of GC increases system complexity and lengthens analysis times. The performance characteristics of the IMS and GC/IMS operational modes of the GC-IONSCAN were evaluated to determine if GC/IMS is more reliable than IMS in the detection of explosive compounds amidst interferents. Five explosive compounds (HMTD, PETN, RDX, TATP, and TNT) and four were used.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 11, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1014216
Entities
People
- Greg W. Cook
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences