Pyrene-based luminescent “turn-off” chemosensor on a detonation nanodiamond platform for sensing in aqueous environments

Due to the widespread pollution caused by heavy metals, there is a pressing need for effective monitoring tools to track their distribution and origin in different environments such as wastewater. Chemosensors have emerged as a powerful tool to detect heavy metals in various settings. However, most chemosensors have limited effectiveness and are only functional under specific conditions, such as ultrapure and oxygen free solvents. To overcome this challenge, we introduce here a technique that involves immobilizing water-insoluble chemosensors on detonation diamond nanoparticles, using a pyrene-based on-off system as a model. This method not only improves the sensor's stability but also maintains its efficiency and specificity across diverse media, including unfiltered tap water, organic solvents, and even a pure oxygen atmosphere. Our approach represents a promising solution for developing robust and adaptable nanodiamond-based chemosensor-carrier systems that can detect, e.g. heavy metals in a wide range of environments. • Synthesis of a sensitive chemosensor using nanodiamond and pyrene moieties. • Nanodiamond can be used as a colloidal dispersant enabling the use of hydrophobic functional molecules in aqueous environments. • Usability of the highly stable fluorescence sensor in salt containing aqueous environments possible. • Sensitive and highly reproducible detection of problematic pollutants in water and organic solvents. • Broad dynamic range and low limit of detection of the chemosensor