Portable Sensors for Unmanned Explosive Detection

Technologies for explosive detection are characterised by sensitivity and selectivity. Portable devices, with the possibility of being carried by small drones, are required if the use has to be extended to dangerous environments. Sensors based on functionalised nanostructures, in particular those based on changes of conductivity of nanowire and nanotubes after interacting with explosive molecules are characterized by a very high sensitivity, with detection limit up to a few molecules per cm3, an enhanced selectivity, that can be achieved by combining nanostructures with different functionalization and an easy detection of the conductance signal, achievable with simple instrumentation (a signal amplifier). Therefore, functionalised nanostructure can offer a sensing solution to realise detectors offering a high sensitivity and combined with a very limited weight and electrical consumption. The favourable surface/volume ratio typical of nanostructure allow to realise sensitive, selective and small detectors suitable to be carried by drones. In the present project we propose the preparation of sensors for explosive detection, in particular of nitroaromatic explosives such as TNT, based on germanium nanowires and carbon nanotubes as a starting point for the realization of to be used in unmanned drones for the exploration of hazardous environments.