SPME-HPLC: A new approach to the analysis of explosives

Methods developed for the analysis of explosives by SPME coupled to HPLC are reviewed with special emphasis on determination and monitoring in environmental samples such as soil and water. Analysis of explosives by using SPME-HPLC as analytical technique is comparatively a new method on which a special attention is focused nowadays. It saves time, avoid use of hazardous extraction solvents, disposal costs and consequently improve the detection limits. The application of SPME is also widened for explosives by using modified 10-port interface and a C-8 refocusing unit combined with two pumps. Several parameters have been optimized to ensure quantitative results such as high concentration of salt and less acetonitrile:water ratio. CW/PDMS/DVB coatings were found to be superior over PA in terms of sensitivity.