Chemical method and device to detect underwater trace explosives via photo-luminescence

This research tests the use of sensitized lanthanide ions to determine if they can detect water-borne explosive traces and produces two designs for a field-deployable underwater explosive trace detector. 1,10-phenanthroline and thenoyltrifluoroacetone are evaluated as sensitizing ligands to absorb energy and initiate the fluorescence process in europium ions. Different compounds obtained via ligand choice and mixing order are evaluated for their ability to produce a large fluorescence differential between explosive-laden and explosive-absent solutions. Optimal excitation and emission wavelengths for several different compounds are determined, as well as practical wavelengths to be applied in the field. The effect of methanol as a solvent to deliver the reagents is evaluated and rough solubility limits are determined. The effects of seawater constituents on detection are investigated and explosive detection limits are determined. It was found that this method and device are viable for underwater explosive trace detection. A field-deployable device is designed, characterized, and proven.