Nanomaterials for the optical detection of fluoride

Abstract

Overexposure to fluoride ions (F⁻) causes serious diseases in human beings. Extensive efforts have been made to develop sensitive and selective approaches for F⁻ detection and a variety of F⁻ sensors have been constructed recently. The burgeoning nanotechnology has provided novel materials for F⁻ analysis due to the extraordinary properties of nanomaterials. In this review, we present the recent advances in different nanomaterials-based approaches for the optical F⁻ detection via colorimetric, fluorescent and chemiluminescent responses. The materials include gold nanomaterials, CeO₂ nanoparticles, semiconductor quantum dots, carbon quantum dots, metal–organic frameworks, upconversion nanoparticles, micellar nanoparticles, polymer dots, SiO₂ nanoparticles and graphene oxide. The recent trends and challenges in the optical detection of F⁻ with various nanomaterials are also discussed.