Rapid screening of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a large class of toxic and carcinogenic compounds, is highly desirable for environments and foods safety. In principle, photoluminescent (PL) assay is a potential route, but demands for highly efficient and stable, low cost, and environment-friendly photoactive materials. 2D carbon nitride nanosheets (CNNS) that have triggered increasing interests are promising to meet all these requirements. However, conventional applications of CNNS are restricted in aqueous solution, in which the long-term dispersibility is difficult to be addressed. Here, we report the harnessing of unique PL properties of CNNS by dispersing them in hierarchical polymeric matrix, driven by electrostatic interactions. Such configuration not only offered a solid-state host to perpetually maintain homogeneous dispersibility of CNNS but also processed free channels for sufficient mass transfer. Moreover, the nanohybrid inherited unique PL properties of CNNS. Further using β-CD as the molecule recognition unit, it was used to construct an economic, highly selective and sensitive paper-based PL sensor for PAHs via an inner filter effect. This work would open a new avenue in harnessing unique PL properties of CNNS in solid-state with superior stability for a variety of potential sensing applications, especially for point-of-care testing and/or in developing countries.

Harnessing photoluminescent properties of carbon nitride nanosheets in a hierarchical matrix

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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