Microwave-assisted synthesis of highly fluorescent nanoparticles of a melamine-based porous covalent organic framework for trace-level detection of nitroaromatic explosives

► Rapid synthesis of nanoparticles of a porous melamine-based polymeric network. ► Sensing of nitroaromatics using porous covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has been demonstrated for the first time. ► High sensitivity and selectivity, as well as fast response, for nitro explosive detection were observed for nanoscale melamine-based conjugated polymer.