Silane compounds--Testing

This research tests the use of sensitized lanthanide ions to determine if they can
detect water-borne explosive traces and produces two designs for a field-deployable
underwater explosive trace detector. 1,1 0-phenanthroline and thenoyltritluoroacetone are
evaluated as sensitizing ligands to absorb energy and initiate the fluorescence process in
europium ions. Different compounds obtained via ligand choice and mixing order are
evaluated for their ability to produce a large fluorescence differential between explosive-laden
and explosive-absent solutions. Optimal excitation and emission wavelengths for
several different compounds are determined, as well as practical wavelengths to be
applied in the field. The effect of methanol as a solvent to deliver the reagents is
evaluated and rough solubility limits are determined. The effects of seawater constituents
on detection are investigated and explosive detection limits are determined. It was found
that this method and device are viable for underwater explosive trace detection. A field-deployable
device is designed, characterized, and proven.