Issue 11, 2014

Real-time detection of chemical warfare agent simulants in forensic samples using active capillary plasma ionization with benchtop and field-deployable mass spectrometers

Abstract

A novel analytical technique to detect chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulants in forensic samples is presented. Three G-agent type simulants that closely mimic real CWAs, namely dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), diethyl ethylphosphonate (DEEP), and diethyl phosphoramidate (DEPA), and in addition a hydrolysis product, pinacolyl methylphosphonate (PMP), were utilized. Dilute solutions spotted onto six different forensic matrices were used to evaluate the capability of an active capillary plasma ionization source, which could be attached to the inlets of either a conventional benchtop ion trap mass spectrometer or a miniaturized ion trap mass spectrometer, under ambient conditions. The sample solutions and matrix surfaces were exposed for about 10–20 seconds at a distance of 1 cm from the plasma ion source inlet. This real-time methodology was found to have a shorter analysis time than previously reported techniques. A full method validation, quantitative studies, and optimization for detection of real CWAs on forensic matrices should be done in the future.

Graphical abstract: Real-time detection of chemical warfare agent simulants in forensic samples using active capillary plasma ionization with benchtop and field-deployable mass spectrometers

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 Feb 2014
Accepted
25 Mar 2014
First published
26 Mar 2014

Anal. Methods, 2014,6, 3604-3609

Real-time detection of chemical warfare agent simulants in forensic samples using active capillary plasma ionization with benchtop and field-deployable mass spectrometers

M. Dumlao, P. M. Sinues, M. Nudnova and R. Zenobi, Anal. Methods, 2014, 6, 3604 DOI: 10.1039/C4AY00303A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements