Method and composition for detecting oxidizing salts

摘要

The present invention provides methods for determining the presence of oxidizing salts. According to the current invention, analyte is collected on a swipe and subsequently heated to a temperature sufficient to release a detectible vapor phase component of the oxidizing salt. The vapor phase component passes reacts with a pH sensitive molecule. Reaction of the vapor phase product with the pH sensitive molecule produces a detectible change in response intensity.

主权项

1. A detector assembly configured to detect trace amounts of evaporative dissociation compounds derived from an oxidizing salt, the detector assembly comprising:
a sensor assembly including a solid substrate carrying a pH sensitive molecule, an excitation source positioned to provide stimulating radiation to the pH sensitive molecule, a light sensor to monitor a response of the pH sensitive molecule to stimulation, and a heater suitable for adjusting the temperature of said sensor assembly; a sampling tip assembly in fluid communication with said sensor assembly; a heater associated with said sampling tip assembly, said heater suitable for maintaining the temperature of the sampling tip assembly at a temperature between about 90° and 350°; a gas movement pump in fluid communication with said sampling tip and said sensor assembly, said gas movement pump configured to move vapors from said sampling tip assembly to and along said solid substrate of said sensor assembly.