Surface functionalized silica nanoparticles for the off–on fluorogenic detection of an improvised explosive, TATP, in a vapour flow.

We report the development of new fluorogenic silica nanomaterials that were able to generate fluorescence in the presence of vapours of triacetone triperoxide, TATP, an improvised explosive used in terrorist attacks. The materials worked in a vapour flow of TATP, giving a permanent and strongly fluorescent response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]