The widespread use of Home-Made Explosives (HMEs) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have been a leading cause of combat casualties in recent years. This research seeks to develop sensors that can be used by every soldier, thus increasing soldier survivability. By leveraging the optical and electronic properties of quantum dots (QDs) integrated into polymer fibers, we have developed a sensor capable of detecting the vapors of various explosives such as TNT, RDX, DNT, and TATP. Our data show that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fibers doped with cadmium selenide QDs respond to explosive vapor signatures. Specifically, the fiber’s fluorescence intensity becomes quenched upon exposure and decreases over time as the fiber remains exposed. Our results demonstrate an ability to differentiate between functional groups of explosive vapors. The relatively facile incorporation of quantum dots into fibers combined with the broad response, durability and device reusability present favorable qualities for the development of a multi-modal and highly sensitive sensor array capable of detecting explosive threats. <b> </b>

Sensing explosive vapors with quantum dot doped electrospun polymer fibers

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.