Fluorescent Metal Nanoclusters for Detecting Pesticides and Explosives

This chapter explores the possibilities of fluorescent metal nanoclusters (FMNCs) as advanced sensing platforms for detecting explosives and pesticides, with particular emphasis on gold (Au), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu) nanoclusters (NCs). These nanoclusters are distinguished by their ease of synthesis, strong fluorescence, high photostability, large Stokes shifts, and excellent biocompatibility, making them highly effective in chemical sensing applications. This chapter demonstrates the multiple applications of these nanoclusters in detecting pesticides and explosives, elucidating the photophysical mechanisms and analyte-specific interactions that enable enhanced sensing performance. Moreover, the challenges associated with FMNC-based sensors are presented, along with a focus on their future advancements in this rapidly evolving field of nanomaterial-based sensing technologies.