Characterization of explosives in a controlled blast chamber using single-particle mass spectrometer for post-blast particle analysis

The detection and characterization of post-blast residues is critical for forensic attribution, explosive safety assessments, and environmental monitoring. In this study, five high explosives, HMX, TNT, Composition B, HNS, and PETN, were detonated under controlled chamber conditions and analyzed in real-time using a single-particle mass spectrometer (SPMS). SPMS facilitates the chemical profiling of individual aerosol particles and can detect a wide range of chemical compounds without any sample preparation. For the first time, the incorporation of a focused laser beam during analysis makes it possible to investigate the spectral information of post-blast particles depending on the explosive. The resulting mass spectra showed clear compositional differences among the explosives: HMX, TNT, and Composition B produced strong polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon signals, while HNS and PETN generated sparse ion profiles. Additionally, inorganic ions originating from stabilizers and primers were detected. These results demonstrate the capability of SPMS to distinguish explosive formulations based on their post-detonation aerosol signatures. The novel method supports rapid screening and detailed chemical classification, offering a powerful tool for real-time forensic investigations, explosive event reconstruction, and future data-driven identifications.