Non-contact detection of chemical warfare simulant triethyl phosphate using PM-IRRAS

► PM-IRRAS was employed to detect the chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulant triethyl phosphate. ► The targeted CWAs (G and V-series nerve agents) are characterized by phosphoric group vibrations. ► The PO and (P)OC bands were used to determine the experimental limit of detection (LoD). ► The estimated LoD is 300 times lower than the typical lethal dose of G and V-series nerve agents. ► PM-IRRAS shows promise as a technology of an optically-based system for non-contact detection of persistent CWAs.