Nanomaterials for luminescence detection of nitroaromatic explosives

•Nanosensors serve as powerful tool for detecting nitroaromatic explosives.•We discuss design principles of nanosensors for detection.•We summarize the challenges of designing nanosensors for practical applications.

Ultrasensitive, low-cost detection of nitroaromatic explosives has attracted tremendous attention due to their great significance in homeland and international security, environmental assays, and forensics applications. Nanomaterial-based luminescence is a powerful tool in the development of highly selective analytical methods for the detection of nitroaromatic explosives. We critically examine and comment on the current diverse methodologies, principles and techniques for detection of nitroaromatic explosives based on the luminescence of nanomaterials. We provide a comprehensive discussion of the status, advancements, unparalleled challenges and future directions of this field.