Large-scale synthesis of dual-emitting-based visualization sensing paper for humidity and ethanol detection

Abstract A novel visual and fluorometric-sensor paper is prepared for the monitoring of atmospheric humidity and ethanol. The paper contains a combination of copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) and carbon dots (CDs), immobilized on a filter paper. This makes it a dual-emission system. The visual sensor shows bright fluorescence and has a diameter of ∼8 cm with uniform and homogeneous surface. The detection mechanism of the sensing paper is based on the fluorescence intensity variation of CuNCs in different environments. Desirable linear relationship is observed between fluorescence intensity ratio (red/blue) and humidity. Visible color transformation of this sensor paper is observed in the humidity range ∼40-80%, implying utility for easy and facile atmospheric humidity determination. Furthermore, due to the water and ethanol have different impacts on the spectrum, this paper-based fluorescent probe shows excellent response to ethanol. Therefore dual-emitting sensing paper, when suitably calibrated, shows promise for visual and fluorometric sensing platforms aimed at humidity or ethanol detection.