Dataset title: Dataset for the Bulk Characterisation of Homemade Potassium Chlorate Using ATR-FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, XRD, and SEM-EDS
DOI: 10.25917/bkpg-0v83
 
  Principal Investigator Contact Information
         Name: Simon W. Lewis
         Email: s.lewis@curtin.edu.au
		 Institution: Curtin University
		 ORCID: 0000-0002-2049-1586

  Associate or Co-investigator Contact Information
         Name: Aaron J. Horrocks
         Email: aaron.horrocks@curtin.edu.au
		 Institution: Curtin University
		 ORCID: 0000-0002-3923-9356
 
 
  Associate or Co-investigator Contact Information
         Name: David DeTata
         Email: david@cientifica.com.au
		 Institution: Curtin University
		 ORCID: 0009-0000-3204-3839
 
 
  Associate or Co-investigator Contact Information
         Name: Kari Pitts
         Email: kpitts@chemcentre.wa.gov.au
		 Institution: ChemCentre
		 ORCID: 0000-0002-0329-3801
 
 

Date of dataset publication: March 2026
Keywords: Potassium chlorate, Homemade explosives, Forensic characterisation, ATR-FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDS

Primary dataset contact: Horrocks, Aaron; aaron.horrocks@curtin.edu.au
If necessary, further information or contact details may be found by emailing researchdata@curtin.edu.au

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DATA INFORMATION

Data description: 
Data were collected using instrumentation available at Curtin University and ChemCentre (Perth, Western Australia) as part of a doctoral research project investigating the synthesis and forensic characterisation of potassium chlorate produced from commonly available consumer materials. Infrared spectra were acquired using a Nicolet iS50 Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) equipped with a single-bounce diamond attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory. Raman spectra were obtained using a Renishaw inVia confocal Raman microscope (Renishaw, UK) with a 785 nm excitation laser. X-ray diffraction data were collected using a Malvern PANalytical EMPYREAN III diffractometer equipped with a Co Kα radiation source and PIXcel3D detector. Elemental composition data were acquired using a Tescan MIRA field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) equipped with Oxford Ultim Max energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) detectors.

Samples consisted of potassium chlorate synthesised from hypochlorite-based consumer products and extracted from commercial safety matches, alongside laboratory-grade reference material. Where appropriate, replicate measurements were collected to account for potential sample heterogeneity. Detailed instrumental parameters, acquisition settings, and sample preparation procedures are reported in the associated research publication.


Number of files & types: 1 .xlsx file

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REUSE INFORMATION

Recommended citation: 
Lewis, S. W., Horrocks, A. J., DeTata, D., & Pitts, K. (2026). Dataset for the Bulk Characterisation of Homemade Potassium Chlorate Using ATR-FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, XRD, and SEM-EDS [Data set]. Curtin University. https://doi.org/10.25917/BKPG-0V83

This dataset is provided under a CC BY 4.0 license. More details can be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/