Investigation of novel substrates for fluorescent sensors to identification of nitroaromatic compounds

Abstract

This study investigates the enhancement of the portable detector Zaslon-M. It examines the capabilities of the detector's sensor to detect and identify nitroaromatic compounds. The effect of different dyeing substrates on sensor performance is explained, and the feasibility of the sensor array based on different fluorophores are reviewed. Sensor elements dyed with various fluorophores were challenged with nitroaromatic vapors. Obtained quenching curves were used to characterize the impact of substrates and the discrimination capability of the sensor array. Fluorophore deposition on substrate surface was studied by optical microscopy. Array response was visualized with principal component analysis to estimate discriminatory power. The study concludes that non-woven 100% cotton substrate exhibited the best performance for selected fluorophores. The sensor array's discriminatory potential was high to 2,4-dinitrophenol, 1,3-dinitrobenzene, nitrobenzene, 2-nitrophenol, and 4-nitrotoluene.