Detection of TNT and Picric Acid on Surfaces and in Seawater by Using Photoluminescent Polysiloles This work was supported through DARPA's Tactical Sensors Program through a Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Contract (N66001-98-C-8514) and the National Science Foundation, Division of Material Research (Grant No. DMR 9900034). The technical point of contact for this DARPA program is Dr. Edward Carapezza.

Abstract

Nitroaromatic explosives can be detected in a simple and rapid method by the quenching of the photoluminescence of fluorescent polysiloles. Quenching is achieved by electron transfer from the conduction band of the polysiloles to electron-poor molecules such as picric acid, nitrobenzene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). Dilute polymer solutions can also be employed as a forensic spray-on reagent to visualize TNT or picric acid residues under a UV lamp (see picture of the print of a nitrile-gloved hand that had been in contact with TNT).