Specific detection and discrimination of dithiocarbamates using CTAB-encapsulated fluorescent copper nanoclusters

The continuous increase of annual dithiocarbamates consumption and a severe underestimation of ditihocarbamates threats urge the establishment of monitoring network for dithiocarbamates residue based on neoteric facile, rapid, inexpensive and applicable detection method. Current rapid detection methods based on enzyme or Au/Ag nanoparticles suffer either from low sensitivity or from poor selectivity, greatly limiting their practical applications. In this work, a paper-based versatile chemosensor based on CTAB-encapsulated fluorescent cooper nanocluster was developed for the specific detection and discrimination of dithiocarbamates. The as-synthesized cooper nanoclusters were investigated highly sensitive and selective to dithiocarbamates both in colorimetric and fluorometric detecting channel. In addition, the as-fabricated sensor can be used to evaluate total amounts of dithiocarbamates, even for real samples. By integrating colorimetry and fluorometry, a binary concentration-based optical electronic tongue was established for the discrimination of different dithiocarbamates.