The study of thermal decomposition of RDX by corona discharge-ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry

Abstract

In this study we have examined the formation of ions from hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) sample evaporated at 473 K in reactions with reactant ions (RI) produced in negative corona discharge (CD). The ions have been analysed and detected by ion mobility spectrometry coupled to orthogonal acceleration time of flight spectrometer (IMS-oaTOF). The chemical ionisation was carried out by O2−, O2− (H2O), N2O2−, N2O3− and N2O3− (H2O) RI formed in CD operated in zero air in the reverse gas flow mode at elevated temperatures 438 K and by Cl−(H2O)n (n = 0,1,2) at 332 K. In case of 332 K, the RI were prepared by admixture of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 – dopant gas) in order to enhance sensitivity of RDX.