Two-Dimensional Fluorescent Strategy Based on Porous Silicon Quantum Dots for Metal-Ion Detection and Recognition

A two-dimensional photoluminescent (2D PL) detection strategy was established based on luminescent porous silicon (LuPSi) with wide-size-distributed silicon quantum dots and abundant surface chemistry. Owing to the intrinsic nature of LuPSi, interaction or reaction between analytes and LuPSi may cause static, dynamic, oxidation-induced, and deposition-induced quenching. By monitoring of both the PL intensity change and peak shift of LuPSi, the 2D PL detection strategy could discriminate different analytes. Detection and recognition of different metal ions in real water samples using a single peak were realized. Compared with the existing array-based methods, the 2D PL approach significantly simplified the sensing element and detection process.