Separation and identification of smokeless gunpowder additives by capillary electrochromatography

This paper details a method for the separation and identification of fourteen organic compounds commonly found as constituents in commercial smokeless powders using a hexyl acrylate-based porous monolith. Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) coupled to UV and time of flight-mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) methods were both explored. The CEC–UV method provides an effective and efficient method for the detection of all components in the additive package of the powder. The TOF-MS procedure provides better sensitivity and selectivity allowing an additional confirmation of the presence of the subset of those compounds, which are detectable via positive and/or negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Both methods were used for the analysis of smokeless powder components in a mixed standard as well as in the determination of the composition of the additive package of individual powders.

► The analysis of smokeless powder additives using CEC–UV and CEC/MS. ► The technique utilizes in-capillary synthesized acrylic monoliths. ► Detection is by UV and time of flight mass spectrometry. ► The mass spectrometry utilizes positive and negative ESI modes and exact mass measurements.