The Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone as a Potential Fluorophore for the Detection of Nitroaromatic Explosives

Background: Detection of explosives (Nitroaromatic compounds) is one of the major issues faced in global security and, to date, remains a challenge even though some materials are developed for their detection. This study introduces the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a nonconjugated conducting polymer, as a potential fluorophore for sensing nitroaromatics. The stimuliresponse of fluorescence of PVP on interaction with energetic nitroaromatics was investigated in the present study. Methods: Fluorescence quenching studies of 5% PVP was carried out by the addition of varying concentration of quenchers (m-dinitrobenzene, trinitrobenzene and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol). To study the effect of diff…