Analysis of chemical warfare agents by portable raman spectrometer

Abstract

The Raman spectra (300-2000 cm-1) of five nerve gases, one nerve gas precursor, five blister agents, three lachrymators, one vomit agent and one choking agent and seven chemical warfare agents (CWAs) simulants as liquid or solid state were measured using portable Raman spectrometer (Delta Nu Co., RAPID ID, excitation wavelength: 785 nm). Generally, characteristic Raman spectra composed of sharp peaks were observed, but for nitrogen mustard 3 and adamsite provided broad Raman spectra. The library search presented correct agents names against only seven CWAs. Sarin (GB) or mustard gas (HD) was mixed with chloroform, and the Raman spectrum was measured. The agent names could be selected as candidate over 21st rank with more than 40 % and 50 % content, and the agent specific peaks were observed with more than 20 % and 40 % content, respectively. When gasoline was mixed with GB or HD, the agent names could be selected as candidate over 10th rank with more than 25 % content, and the agent specific peaks were observed with more than 10 % content.