State-of-the-Art Technologies in Explosives Detection

• Published in: Journal of analytical chemistry (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 80; no. 4; pp. 591 - 607
• Main Authors: Buryakov, I. A., Buryakov, T. I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Moscow Pleiades Publishing 01.04.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: air; Analytical Chemistry; Chemical analysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; color; Colorimetry; electrochemistry; Explosive devices; explosives; Explosives detection; Gas chromatography; gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; High performance liquid chromatography; Ionic mobility; Mass spectrometry; Qualitative analysis; Reagents; Reviews; vapors in air; explosives; detector; detection method; trace amounts
• ISSN: 1061-9348; 1608-3199
• DOI: 10.1134/S1061934825700029

This review substantiated the list of explosive substances and their components subject to control. Typical objects of detection by instrumental methods of chemical analysis—trace amounts of explosives on various surfaces or explosive vapors in the air as signs of the presence of explosive devices or explosive charges—were described. Based on these descriptions, requirements for the explosives detectors in use were formulated. An assessment and qualitative comparison of analytical and operational characteristics of devices based on remote methods of laser spectroscopy and also devices based on sampling, sample preparation, and analysis by ion mobility spectrometry, colorimetry with the use of reagents for color reactions, mass spectrometry, high-speed gas chromatography, gas chromatography—mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and sensor methods (optical (chemical), electrical, electrochemical, thermometric, and mass-sensitive methods) were carried out. The main directions in the development of instrumental analytical technologies for explosives detection were listed.