Detection of Explosives based on the Work Function Read-out of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

The feasibility of explosive detection by means of work function readout of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIPs) layers is investigated for the first time. Work function changes of TNT-imprinted MIP layers (TNT-MIP) have been studied using the Kelvin Probe technique. The response to TNT and different interfering substances has been recorded. The TNT concentrations have been verified by means of on-line IMR-MS analysis and subsequent GC-MS analysis. For TNT-MIP, a significant response to TNT concentrations < 50 ppb and an increased selectivity to TNT compared to non imprinted polymer were obtained.