A pre-concentrator for explosive vapor detection

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Date of Original Version

1-1-2015

Abstract

A pre-concentrator was developed for a vapor detection system to improve its response when continuously monitoring trace levels of explosives. The pre-concentrator employs an additional polymer coated microheater upstream from the active sensor element, allowing the delivery of a concentrated burst of analyte to the detector. And has resulted in a lower detection limit for both nitrogen and non-nitrogen based explosives. Further improvements in sensor response were realized by using zinc oxide nanowires as a catalyst and/or a catalyst support. The increased surface area available for catalytic interaction and the pre-concentration step have lowered the detection limit of explosives such as TATP and 2, 6-DNT by orders of magnitude.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

ECS Transactions

Volume

66

Issue

38

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