This work deals with synthesis and characterization of polyaniline and titanium dioxide nanocomposites for explosive detection and mitigation. The titanium dioxide nanotube array was prepared through electrochemical oxidation of pure titanium in a fluorine ion-containing ethylene glycol water solution followed by annealing at 450 degrees C in air. Polyaniline was obtained by electrochemical polymerization from an aniline and sulfuric acid solution. Both polyaniline and the nanotube show sorption of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) vapor at 60 degrees C. Polyaniline modified by alginic acid sodium salt caused color change of TNT solutions. Polyaniline-based sensor showed decrease of electrical resistance in TNT acetonitrile solutions. Ultraviolet light response tests revealed that TNT caused significant drop in open circuit voltage of the titanium dioxide nanotube. In addition, the polyaniline/titanium oxide nanocomposites show colorimetric responses in the explosive solution, which makes them have multiple response mechanisms for nitro-aromatic explosive detection and mitigation. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.