Catalyst-integrated dual-fluorescent sensor array for highly efficient detection of triacetone triperoxide via simplified quadrantal pattern recognition

A catalyst-integrated dual-fluorescent sensor array for efficient vapor detection of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) was designed and realized. The selected loading fluorescence sensors were catalog compounds of substituted 1,8-naphthalimides (C6NI), where boronate substituted C6NIB as H₂O₂ sensors and azetidine substituted C6NIN as polarity quenching sensors for TATP/acetone sensing. These two sensors were well characterized. The catalyst was integrated into middle of the array, helping detect TATP in site directly by before-catalyst sensors and indirectly by post-catalyst sensors. Different catalysts’ decomposition performance was verified. The array's accurate selectivity for TATP was confirmed to be unaffected by TATP signature compounds, humidity change or ambient interference via simplified quadrantal pattern recognition (QPR) method, making TATP data points conspicuous without excessive data processing. The array also performed comparable low detection limit and high sensitivity. The array's ability to detect both directly and indirectly, along with the design of proper sensing materials and catalyst setup, allow for the sensitive and selective identification of TATP in a variety of gaseous, in-situ, and real-time scenarios. With fewer sensing materials and simplified data processing, the array offers a promising future for numerous applications with low false positives.