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 minutes. 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.