Synthesis of copper nanoclusters stabilized by 2-amino-5-mercapto-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole and acetate simultaneously and as a sensitive sensor for detecting trace water in organic solvents

We describe the synthesis of a novel copper nanoclusters (AMTD-Ac-CuNCs) stabilized by 2-amino-5-mercapto1,3,4-thiadiazol (AMTD) and acetate (Ac-) simultaneously. The effect of carboxylate on the luminescence of CuNCs was discussed. The as-synthesized CuNCs can be used as a highly sensitive fluorescence sensor to successively detect the trace water in organic solvents. The sensor exhibits high sensitivity with a detection limit as 0.036% for water in EtOH, 0.018 v/v % in THF, 0.024 in ACT and 0.026 in MeCN, respectively. This work broadens the application of CuNCs and provides an extremely sensitive detection method of water.