Skip to main content

NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Trace detection and competitive ionization of erythritol tetranitrate in mixtures using direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry

Published

Author(s)

Thomas P. Forbes, Edward R. Sisco

Abstract

Direct analysis in real time (DART) mass spectrometry was used for trace detection of the nitrate ester explosive, erythritol tetranitrate (ETN), and its sugar alcohol precursor, erythritol. The present investigation revealed the impact of competitive ionization between ETN and erythritol for the detection of sugar alcohol-based homemade explosives.
Citation
Analytical Methods
Volume
7
Issue
8

Keywords

Direct analysis in real time, Mass spectrometry, Explosives Detection, Nitrate ester, Sugar alcohol, Competitive ionization

Citation

Forbes, T. and Sisco, E. (2015), Trace detection and competitive ionization of erythritol tetranitrate in mixtures using direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry, Analytical Methods, [online], https://doi.org/10.1039/C4AY02694B (Accessed October 14, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created April 9, 2015, Updated November 10, 2018
Was this page helpful?