Explosives identification by infrared spectrometry

Abstract

In order to identify various explosives and their precursors, technicians worldwide rely on chemical analysis instruments for rapid specific identification results to help ensure a safe remediation. This is one of the central tasks for homeland security and public safety personnel, especially since the recent proliferation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These instruments that are being used in the field, are extremely important for first responders. For this paper and the experiments made, a FTIR spectrometer (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) was used. This is a technique used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission of a solid, liquid or gas. A FTIR spectrometer simultaneously collects high-resolution spectral data over a wide spectral range. They are essentially in identifying unknown chemicals on a wide range of colors. Given the fact that this spectrometer does not generate energy during the sampling process, makes it ideal for verifying substances such as: Semtex, smokeless powders, dynamite, TNT and hundreds of other colored materials. Since contact is required between the sample and the instrument, we took extreme caution measures while analyzing these pressure sensitive substances. In this paper, determinations were made for the identification of functional groups from a series of explosives for civil use, in order to establish the necessary steps in developing an ideal method of identification.