A Lateral-Field-Excited Acoustic Wave Peroxide Based Explosive Sensor

Due to the extensive use of peroxide based explosives (PBEs) in terrorist and insurgent activities, the need for a rapid and accurate PBE sensor is paramount. PBEs can be prepared from items found ubiquitously such as acetone and hydrogen peroxide. Current tests to detect PBEs typically require swabbing of suspected items, which is time consuming and may not be remotely deployed. The results of such tests are qualitative in nature and false positives are common. A need exists for a sensor that can detect PBE constituents in air. This paper investigates the utility of employing the lateral field excited (LFE) acoustic wave sensor platform for PBE detection. Specifically, polymer films that are sensitive to both acetone and hydrogen peroxide vapors emitted from PBEs have been deposited on an LFE platform. The resulting sensor has been demonstrated to be capable of identifying ppm concentrations of the PBE constituent vapors in air in the presence of an interferant, i.e., water vapor.