Fabrication of mesoporous ion-imprinted fluorescent sensors for rapid and reliable Cu2+ detection in aqueous environments

A novel mesoporous ion-imprinted fluorescent sensor (SiO 2 @CDs@MIIPs) was developed for the detection of Cu 2+ in aqueous environments. This sensor was constructed by modifying mesoporous silica nanospheres with blue-emitting carbon dots (CDs), which serve as both a fluorescence source and a functional platform. The mesoporous structure ensures efficient ion recognition and facilitates rapid mass transfer, while the integration of CDs enhances fluorescence stability. The sensor demonstrated a detection limit of 5.74 μM, a linear range of 20–100 μM, and a rapid response time of 3 min. Although the selectivity and sensitivity are moderate, the unique combination of mesoporous silica and CDs provides a stable and practical solution for Cu 2+ detection. Validation using tap water and river water samples confirmed its reliability, with results aligning closely with those obtained by ICP-MS. This work highlights the potential of functionalized silica-based nanomaterials for environmental monitoring and offers a promising direction for the design of ion-imprinted fluorescent sensors. • Carbon dots were successfully loaded on mesoporous silica as a functional substrate material for Cu 2+ detection. • The detection stability and performance of mesoporous and non-mesoporous structures were systematically compared. • The sensor demonstrated rapid Cu 2+ detection (response time: 3 min) with high reliability in real water samples.