Lionel Hairault

Metalloporphyrins as sensing material for quartz-crystal microbalance nitroaromatics sensors

Five octaethylporphyrins (OEP) and tetraphenylporphyrins (TPP): (OEP)InCl, (OEP)MnCl, (OEP)GaCl, (TPP)Pd, and (TPP)RhI have been deposited as sensitive coating onto quartz-crystal microbalances. The sensitivities of the resulting sensors have been measured with respect to 2,4-dinitrotrifluoromethoxybenzene vapors. When exposed to the nitroaromatic compound, a large and significative response is recorded for every tested porphyrin, the detection process being slightly reversible. Along with a good sensitivity, the sensors exhibit an excellent selectivity when common solvents are used as interfering vapors. Among all the studied derivatives, (OEP)MnCl appears as the most sensitive and selective coating.

Comparison of fluorescence and QCM technologies: Example of explosives detection with a π-conjugated thin film

A pi-conjugated compound was synthesized as a sensitive material for explosives detection. The detection of vapors of 2,4-dinitrotoluene was demonstrated with quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and fluorescence transduction methods. The fluorescence intensity monitoring shows a higher sensitivity and selectivity than the monitoring of the QCM frequency. Both methods appear to be synergic when used simultaneously as the sensor helps to discriminate interferent vapors from nitroaromatics.

Research for the Detection of Explosives at CEA: Towards Operational Use

CEA, a prominent player in research, development and innovation has developed extensive expertise in a number of topics which are now central within the global security research issues. As an example, CEA is developing research of new technologies for the detection of explosives. This article gives an overview of the main activities regarding to the detection and identification of bulk or traces explosives. The document focus on high TRL projects aiming to develop demonstrators for testing in real configurations.