Simple fluorescent chemosensors for TNT: one-step synthesis

Enhanced TNT vapor sensing through a PMMA-mediated AIPE-active monocyclometalated iridium(III) complex: a leap towards real-time monitoring

Based on the explosive nature and harmful effects of nitro-based explosive materials on living beings and the environment, it is extremely important to develop luminescence-based probe molecules for their detection with excellent selectivity and sensitivity. Two AIPE (aggregation-induced phosphorescence emission)-active iridium(III) complexes (M1 and M2) were developed for the sensitive detection of TNT in both contact and non-contact modes. The aggregate solutions of both complexes (M1 and M2 in THF/H2O, 1/9 by volume) detected TNT at the pico-molar (pM) level. These complexes showed greatly enhanced emission intensity while embedded in a PMMA(polymethyl methacrylate) matrix film. The amplified quantum efficiency, improved phosphorescence lifetime, and enhanced porous network of M2-PMMA composite helps to improve the sesitivity of TNT vapor detection. Interestingly, the sensitivity of the detection of TNT by the M2 complex was significantly improved (5-fold) in a PMMA-incorporated complex (CP) with an observed limit of detection (LOD) of 12.8 ppb. From the BET analysis of CP, it was observed that the mesoporous network of CP has an average pore diameter of 8.52 nm and a surface area of 2.03 m2 g-1. The porous network of CP assists in trapping TNT vapor in a polymeric network containing an electron-rich probe (iridium(III) complex, M2), which helps to effectively trap TNT, thus enhancing electronic communication. As a result, significant emission quenching was observed.

Constitutional isomers of dendrimer-like pyrene substituted cyclotriphosphazenes: synthesis, theoretical calculations, and use as fluorescence receptors for the detection of explosive nitroaromatics

Two constitutionally isomeric bis-pyrenyl phenol dendrons (4 and 6) and their dendrimer-like cyclotriphosphazene derivatives (5 and 7) are designed, synthesized and fluorescence detection behaviors are evaluated for nitro aromatic compounds (NACs).

Fluorescence based explosive detection: from mechanisms to sensory materials

The detection of explosives is one of the current pressing concerns in global security. In the past few decades, a large number of emissive sensing materials have been developed for the detection of explosives in vapor, solution, and solid states through fluorescence methods. In recent years, great efforts have been devoted to develop new fluorescent materials with various sensing mechanisms for detecting explosives in order to achieve super-sensitivity, ultra-selectivity, as well as fast response time. This review article starts with a brief introduction on various sensing mechanisms for fluorescence based explosive detection, and then summarizes in an exhaustive and systematic way the state-of-the-art of fluorescent materials for explosive detection with a focus on the research in the recent 5 years. A wide range of fluorescent materials, such as conjugated polymers, small fluorophores, supramolecular systems, bio-inspired materials and aggregation induced emission-active materials, and their sensing performance and sensing mechanism are the centerpiece of this review. Finally, conclusions and future outlook are presented and discussed.

π-Electron rich small molecule sensors for the recognition of nitroaromatics

In this review article we provide an overview of the recent developments made in small molecule-based turn-off fluorescent sensors for nitroaromatic explosives with special focus on organic and H-bonded supramolecular sensors.

Fabrication of magnetically separable fluorescent terbium-based MOF nanospheres for highly selective trace-level detection of TNT

In this work, we present novel kinds of Fe3O4@Tb-BTC magnetic metal-organic framework (MOF) nanospheres which possess both magnetic characteristics and fluorescent properties using a layer by layer assembly technique. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared Fe3O4@Tb-BTC were systematically characterized and it was applied in detection of nitroaromatic explosives, such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT), 2-nitrotoluene (2-NT), 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT), nitrobenzene (NB) and picric acid (PA). The results indicate that the fluorescence intensity of Fe3O4@Tb-BTC can be quenched by all analytes studied in the present work. Remarkably, the as-synthesized nanospheres exhibit high sensitivity for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) detection with Ksv value of (94 800 M(-1)). Besides, the magnetic nanospheres can be easily recycled, which makes it more convenient for reutilization and friendly to the environment. The results show that it has broad application prospects in the detection of nitroaromatic explosives.