A modified mesoporous silica optical nanosensor for selective monitoring of multiple analytes in water.

A new modified mesoporous silica nanosensor was synthesized by the co-condensation method. Under basic conditions, the obtained mesoporous silica nanosensor responds selectively to Fe(2+) (pH = 8) and Cu(2+) (pH = 12) with a distinguishable colour change perceivable by the naked eye and a detection limit of approximately 50 ppb.