Nanomaterials for luminescent detection of water and humidity

Abstract

The rapid and sensitive detection of water or humidity has attracted wide interest because of their considerable significance in the chemical industry and other fields. Nanotechnology offers potential tools in the construction of various luminescent nanosensors for sensing water or relative humidity (RH). In this review, we present the recent advances in different luminescent nanomaterials, namely, luminescent copper nanoclusters, carbon quantum dots, metal–organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks and other nanomaterials, in the detection of water and RH. Also, the challenges and opportunities are discussed.