Sensor concepts for the detection of explosives with selective layers based on molecularly imprinted polymers

In concerns with national security there are needs for inexpensive, rapid, high sensitive and selective sensors. In this respect, e.g. mass-sensitive devices (QCMs) coated with substance specific molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) look promising to achieve low-cost detection devices capable of detecting explosives vapours fast, sensitive and reliable. ICT works on the development of MIPs as specific sensing layers to detect common ingredients in improvised explosives like 2,4,6-TNT, 2,4-DNT, EGDN, tagging substances like DMNB or the self-made explosive most frequently used by terrorists, TATP. Preliminary results for 2,4,6-TNT and 2,4-DNT and possible concepts for MIP-based low-cost sensors are presented. Key words: Explosives detection, low cost sensor, molecular imprinted polymers, coatin