ABSTRACT

Sensors are devices that respond to external stimuli and convert them to a signal, which can be measured and recorded. In chemical sensors, the presence of specic chemical compounds or certain chemical reactions is detected through a variety of responses. Detection of environmentally toxic chemicals, especially metal ions, and chemicals that present a threat to safety and security, such as those used in explosive devices, has become increasingly important. A variety of nonoptical sensing platforms are being utilized. However, optical sensors, especially those that display a response in uorescence, possess a matrix of benecial attributes (see Section 6.1.1.3) and are at the forefront of technological investigations worldwide. This chapter focuses on the uorometric detection of these analytes, that is, explosives and metal ions.