Analysis of nitramine and nitroaromatic explosives by micellar electokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC)

Abstract

Abstract Recently two new explosives, TNAZ, 1,3,3-trinitroazetidine, and CL-20, hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, have attracted interest as possible replacements for or inclusion in various military propellants and explosives. Analysis of these two compounds as well as 12 other nitramine and nitroaromatic explosives could be accomplished by capillary electrophoresis using the technique of MECC, micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Analysis times of less than 10 minutes could be done using this method. Increased sensitivity for some explosives could be accomplished, as well, by using UV detection at 185nm rather than 254nm which is typically used.