A Colorimetric Artificial Olfactory System for Airborne Improvised Explosive Identification. Issue 14 (29th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Guangfa; Li, Yushu; Cai, Zhenzhen; Dou, Xincun
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 32:Issue 14(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-01-29
• Subjects: artificial olfactory systems -- colorimetric detection -- improvised explosives -- nonvolatile target analytes; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201907043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: The detection of ultralow or nonvolatile target analytes remains a significant challenge for artificial olfactory systems even after decades of development, which severely limits their widespread application. To overcome this challenge, an artificial olfactory system based on a colorimetric hydrogel array is constructed for the first time as a universal representative. As an effective extension of conventional artificial olfactory systems that integrates the merits of its predecessors, the proposed system accurately mimics olfactory mucosa and specific odorant binding proteins using hydrogels endowed with specific colorimetric reagents for the detection of hypochlorite, chlorate, perchlorate, urea, and nitrate. Therefore, the proposed system is capable of detecting and discriminating between these five airborne improvised explosive microparticulates with a detection limit as low as 39.4 pg. Additionally, the system demonstrates good reusability over ten cycles, rapid response time of ≈0.2 s, and excellent discrimination properties, despite significant variation. This proof‐of‐concept study on colorimetric artificial olfactory systems yields a novel strategy for the direct and discriminative detection of nonvolatile airborne microparticulates. Abstract : A colorimetric artificial olfactory system with excellent discrimination capabilities, rapid response time, and low detection limit is proposed for detecting airborne improvised explosive microparticulates. The proposed system integrates the merits of previous artificial olfactory systems and overcomes common drawbacks, which can not only resolve the challenges of improvised explosive detection, but also make the detection of nonvolatile target analytes possible.