Highly sensitive and selective fluorescence sensor based on nanoporous silicon-quinoline composite for trace detection of hydrogen peroxide vapors

We report the highly sensitive and selective detection of hydrogen peroxide vapors via fluorescence enhancement (turn-on mechanism) for boronate quinoline chromophore deposited on a flat substrate and entrapped in a nanoporous silicon multi-layered structure. The detection limit was determined to be 150 ppt with a negligible response to major volatile organic compounds and water. A distinctive feature is extraordinary sensitivity which critically depends on amount of the sensory material infiltrated inside nanoporous silicon.