ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Detection of hazardous explosive-related materials by novel laser-induced photoluminescence hyperspectral imaging

Sherif Elbasuney, Alaaeldin Mahmoud, and Yasser H. El-Sharkawy

Nanotechnology Center, Military Technical College, Kobry El-Kobba, Cairo, Egypt

E-mail: sherif_basuney2000@yahoo.com

Received: 15 January 2025  Accepted: 26 April 2025

Abstract:

The rapid and reliable detection of hazardous industrial explosive-related materials, such as ammonium perchlorate (APC) and ammonium nitrate (AN), is critical for homeland security. These materials contain high-energy bonds (e.g., Cl–O and N–O); readily oxidized/reduced elements can secure explosive behavior. Traditional detection methods, such as chromatography and spectroscopy, suffer from lack of simplicity and real-time field applicability. This study introduces a novel, standoff detection technique using laser-induced photoluminescence (LIP) for the instant identification of hazardous materials. A green laser (532 nm, 5 mW) was used to stimulate APC, AN, and non-explosive material of similar chemicalstrucutre (ammonium chloride (ACl)). The photoluminescence signature was captured via a hyperspectral camera. APC exhibited strong photoluminescence, with a unique phosphorescence peak at 969.8 nm. AN exhibited weaker photoluminescent activity, characterized by a distinct emission signal at 581 nm. ACl exhibited a photoluminescence response distinct from both APC and AN, with fluorescence signals at 577 nm and 597 nm, along with a phosphorescence signature at 803 nm. A customized image processing algorithm, incorporating moving average filtering (K = 10) and intensity calculations in both horizontal and vertical directions, enabled precise quantification and differentiation of materials. The distinct fluorescence and phosphorescence signatures of APC and AN offered facile discrimination from non-explosive (ACl). This LIP-based approach offers a rapid, non-invasive, and reliable method for detection of explosive-related materials, LIP demonstrated significant potential for real-time security applications.

Keywords: Bioluminescence Imaging; Fluorescence Spectroscopy; Fluorescence Imaging; Inorganic LEDs; Laser spectroscopy; Luminescence Spectroscopy; Explosive detection; Spectroscopy; Lasers; Photoluminescence; Terrorism

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04097-2

Chemical Papers 79 (7) 4753–4761 (2025)