Development of a Membrane for In-Situ Optical Detection of TNT
Abstract
A membrane has been developed for in situ determination of polynitroaromatic hydrocarbons in groundwater at levels as low as 10 ng/mL. A typical membrane is prepared by dissolving the following in tetra-hydrofuran: 0. 5 g poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), 0.2 mL dioctyl phthalate to serve as a plasticizer and 0.12 mL Jeffamine T403, a polyoxyethyleneamine that also acts as a plasticizer, as well as reacting with polynitroaromatic hydrocarbons to produce a colored product. The membrane is formed by casting the solution into a glass Petri dish with a diameter of 8 cm and allowing the solvent to slowly evaporate. Trace amounts of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB), 2,4,5-trinitrotoluene (2,4,5-TNT), and methyl-2,4,6-trinitrophenyl nitramine (tetryl) react with the membrane to produce a visually observable reddish brown color. No pretreatment of water samples is required. Recoveries of 0.1 to 4.0 ppm TNT from spiked groundwater ranged from 95% to 105%. Direct analysis of water samples agreed with HPLC results. Contaminated groundwater, Explosives, Fiber optics, Sensor, TNT, Water pollution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA202306
Entities
People
- Donald D. Sundberg
- W. R. Seitz
- Yunke Zhang
Organizations
- University of New Hampshire