摘要 |
The use of volatilization reagents is disclosed for improved detection of inorganic oxidizers such as, but not limited to, chlorates and perchlorates. Detection methods are disclosed whereby a reagent can transfer a proton to the anion (i.e., chlorate, perchlorate, etc.) of an inorganic salt analyte, forming an acid (i.e., chloric acid, perchloric acid) that is easier to detect by a mechanism whereby the acidified reagent is more easily vaporized, and hence, more easily detected. Concurrently, the anion of the acid forms a new salt with the cation released from the salt that was acidified. The reagents can also include acidic salts or cation-donators, more generally. In some embodiments, hydrated reagents or co-reagents that can release water can be employed. In another aspect of the invention, a class of reagents including polmeric acids, polymeric organic acids and polymeric sulfonic acids are disclosed that can carry out this method. In various embodiments, these reagents can be embedded in a swipe or other substrate, delivered as a liquid infused via nebulizer, or otherwise introduced to a sample to be tested for the presence of a target analyte. |
主权项 |
1. A method for detection of an analyte molecule, X, potentially present in a sample, the method comprising:
treating the sample with an acidic evaporative reagent to form a higher vapor pressure analog of the analyte if present in the sample, and subjecting the treated sample to mass spectrometry, whereby the presence of X in the sample can be deduced. |