A simple functionalized silica microsphere for fast PETN vapor detection based on fluorescence color changes via a catalyzed oxidation process.

In this work, we report a new fluorescent material for pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) vapor detection. A series of fluorene substituted vinyl-SiO microspheres with different ratios has been designed and easily synthesized. Sensing films on quartz plates were obtained by a solid phase transfer method. With a specific diameter of SiO and a specific density of surrounding fluorene, the microspheres performed a rapid fluorescence color change via oxidation with highly selective PETN catalysis. The emission peak at 355 nm was rapidly quenched while an enhancement at 525 nm appeared under exposure to PETN saturated vapor. Herein, we present this fluorescent silica nanoparticle as an excellent sensing material towards vapor phase PETN, making contributions to many fields such as public security and military use.