Thermal Solid Sample Introduction–Fast Gas Chromatography–Low Flow Ion Mobility Spectrometry as a field screening detection system

The potential of Thermal Solid Sample Introduction (TSSI)–Fast Gas Chromatography (GC)–Low Flow Ion Mobility Spectrometry (LF-IMS) having been designed and constructed in Engineering Research Center of Esfahan, detector group was investigated for chemical detection capabilities. Customizing the configuration of fast GC–IMS as a high technology, provides unique solutions for rapid detection of a broad range of chemical mixtures in many operational environments. TSSI configuration provides fast and easily applied method for direct detection with no additional sample preparation or extraction. The time required for total analysis, less than 265 s, was determined by the wide range of solid matrixes, including nitrate esters, nitroaromatics, and a nitramine. The fast extraction together with the short separation time limits degradation of the thermally labile compounds and decreases the peak widths, which results in larger peak intensities and a simultaneous improvement in detection limits. For signal-to-noise ratio equals to 5, the detection limits for instrument for TNT, DNT and RDX were attained 15, 10 and 50 ng/μl respectively. The combination of short analysis time and low detection limits make this instrument a potential candidate for field screening techniques.

► Investigating the potential of home-made TSSI–GC–IMS for chemical detection. ► Rapid detection of various chemical mixtures in many operational environments. ► Field screening candidate due to combination of short analysis time and low LOD. ► TSSI provides direct detection with no additional sample preparation or extraction.