Preliminary Development of a Fiber Optic Sensor for TNT.

Abstract

Research aimed at the development of a fiber-optic based sensor is described for in-situ detection of TNT in groundwater. Three approaches were evaluated in depth. All three involved use of a material to concentrate TNT in the field of view of an optical fiber. The materials tested were 1) a concentrated dextran solution isolated by a semi-permeable membrane; 2) a pre-swollen cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol polymer; and 3) an amine-loaded PVC membrane. Another approach based on the formation of a colored TNT anion at high pH was also considered. The amine-loaded PVC membrane appears to have the most promise. Clear membranes were prepared which reacted with TNT to form a colored product. Measurement is made at 520 nm which is very convenient for fiber optic-based sensing. Various primary amines were assessed. Keywords: Contaminated soils, Fiber optics, Sensor, Trinitrotoluene. (MJM)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA195869

Entities

People

  • Clarence L. Grant
  • Donald C. Sundberg
  • W. R. Seitz
  • Yuke Zhang

Organizations

  • University of New Hampshire

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alcohols
  • Biodegradable Plastics
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Detectors
  • Engineering
  • Groundwater
  • Mass Transfer
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Measurement
  • New Hampshire
  • Optical Fibers
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol
  • Resins

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.