A simple and fast electrochemical method for quantitative analysis of picric acid explosive (nitroexplosive) based on its electrochemical reduction at copper surfaces is reported. To achieve a higher
sample throughput, the electrochemical sensor was adapted in a flow injection system. Under optimal
experimental conditions, the peak current response increases linearly with picric acid concentration
over the range of 20–300mmol L1
. The repeatability of the electrode response in the flow injection
analysis (FIA) configuration was evaluated as 3% (n¼10), and the detection limit of the method was
estimated to be 6.0mmol L1
(S/N¼3). The sample throughput under optimised conditions was
estimated to be 550 samples h
1
. Peroxide explosives like triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) were tested as potential interfering substances for the proposed
method, and no significant interference by these explosives was noticed. The proposed method has
interesting analytical parameters, environmental applications, and low cost compared with other
electroanalytical methods that have been reported for the quantification of picric acid. Additionally, the
possibility to develop an in situ device for the detection of picric acid using a disposable sensor was
evaluated