Vibrational analysis of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) in soil particles

The detection of explosive materials is important in the problem of landmines location and dismantling. It is also important in areas such global security, unexploded ordnance and Improvised Explosive Devices detection where explosives detection have played a central role in ensuring the safety of lives of citizens in many countries. Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy are powerful tools that can be used to characterize explosives such as Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate, commonly known as PETN, in its diverse forms revealing the different soil-energetic compound interactions and also can be applied in the field of explosives chemical point detection. The analysis of PETN is essential in the treatment of the well known plastic explosive called Semtex which is a formulation widely used by terrorists. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...