Determination of gas phase triacetone triperoxide with aspiration ion mobility spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Aspiration ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has been used for the first time to screen 3,3,6,6,9,9-hexamethyl-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexaoxacyclononane explosive, the most commonly known as triacetone triperoxide (TATP). Gaseous TATP was generated from synthesized solid compound, sublimed and directed to a portable chemical detection system comprised of an aspiration-type IMS detector and six semiconductor sensors. Different unknown TATP gas phase concentrations were produced and corresponding IMS and semiconductor responses were measured. The experimental concentrations were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results evidenced that the monitored compound in the gas phase was TATP. In addition, the determined TATP concentrations and corresponding IMS intensities showed that the IMS response values were proportional to the measured TATP concentrations.