Standards for Calibration of Explosive Detectors

FIGURE12.5 IMS of a 0.2- jL stock TATP at 80°C (A) with 4.7-ppmv ammonia and (B) with 8.1-ppmv ammonia. (From Ewing Waltman and Atkinson, Characterization of triacetone triperoxide by ion mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry following atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. Anal. Chem. 2011, 83,4838-4844. With permission.) 

As mentioned, the generation of controlled concentrations of vapors of explosives is difficult due to the polarity of the compounds, their tendency to absorb on surfaces, and for sensitive compounds to undergo degradation. A portable explosive vapor generator was described, and the problems connected with this were discussed. The basic idea underlying this device is to allow a droplet generated by an ink-jet printer like the type described to evaporate in an enclosed volume and to sample the vapors. 

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