A highly efficient fluorescent sensor of explosive peroxide vapor via ZnO nanorod array catalyzed deboronation of pyrenyl borate.

A new strategy capable of detecting explosive peroxide vapor via deboronation reaction induced fluorescence quenching has been developed. Using ordered assembly arrays of ZnO nanorods as catalyzing substrates, the deboronation reaction was 42 times faster than that on quartz substrates, which resulted in a very fast response and high sensitivity.