Taha, Youssef M.Saowapon, Matthew TOsthoff, Hans D.2021-06-212021-06-212018-05-04Taha, Y. M., Saowapon, M. T., & Osthoff, H. D. (2018). Detection of triacetone triperoxide by thermal decomposition peroxy radical chemical amplification coupled to cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 410(17), 4203-4212.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/113514https://doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/46157This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1072-0Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is frequently used in improvised explosive devices because of its ease of manufacture and tremendous explosive force. In this paper, we describe a new method for detection of TATP, thermal decomposition peroxy radical chemical amplification cavity ring-down spectroscopy (TD-PERCA-CRDS). In this method, air is sampled through a heated inlet to which ~ 1 ppmv nitric oxide (NO) is added. To verify the purity of synthetic standards, the mid-infrared spectrum of TATP vapor was recorded. The thermal decomposition of TATP is shown to produce radicals which oxidize NO to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), whose concentration increase is monitored by optical absorption at 405 nm using a blue diode laser CRDS. The sensitivity could be improved through addition of ~ 1% ethane (C2H6), which fuels catalytic conversion of NO to NO2. The limit of detection of TD-PERCA-CRDS with respect to TATP is 22 pptv (1 s data), approximately six orders of magnitude below TATP's saturation vapor pressure. Insights into the mechanism of TATP thermal decomposition, TD-PERCA-CRDS interferences, and the suitability of TD-PERCA-CRDS as a peroxy radical explosive detection method at security check points are discussed.engUnless otherwise indicated, this material is protected by copyright and has been made available with authorization from the copyright owner. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Triacetone triperoxideTATPtrace sensingperoxy radical chemical amplificationPERCAcavity ring-down spectroscopyCRDSmechanism of TATP thermal decompositionmid-infrared spectrumjournal articleRGPIN/03849-2016http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-1072-0