An effective single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) covalently loaded with unsaturated terbium emissive material was designed for specific and rapid (2–3 s) detection of calcium dipicolinate (CaDPA) (detection limit 1 μM). The nanoprobe was successfully assembled onto electrodes and its sensing abilities were investigated through electrochemical measurement. Cyclic voltammetry curves were selectively responsive to calcium dipicolinate compared with benzoic acid, o-phthalic acid and m-phthalic acid. This novel material provides dual opto-electrochemical recognition of the anthrax biomarker CaDPA.

The chemical effects of high intensity ultrasound and microwave irradiation on lanthanide (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺, Sm³⁺ and Dy³⁺) activated SrWO₄ phosphors were extensively studied. Four classes of characteristic optically active materials (red, green, orange-red and blue-yellow) with striking luminescence were facilely prepared under very low temperature (70 °C) in 45 min. Particularly, Sm³⁺, Dy³⁺ and Eu³⁺ doped strontium tungstates were visible-light driven emissive. The photocatalytic properties of these luminescent lanthanide doped tungstates were systematically examined by investigating the degradation behavior of different dyes.

A natural resource such as peony flower has been employed for the first time as a new carbon precursor to prepare green-emitting carbon nanodots (CDs). The emission peak is situated at 523 nm and the excitation wavelength can be extended to the visible light range (452 nm). Due to the formation of CD–MnO₂ nanocomposites, the emission intensity of CDs is sharply reduced as a consequence of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Moreover, glucose can be recognized due to the enzymatic conversion of glucose by glucose oxidase to generate H₂O₂. The MnO₂ nanosheets are reduced to form Mn(II) ions, and the fluorescence of CDs can be recovered. The fluorescence intensity has been improved linearly based on the increasing concentration of glucose (0.5–250 μM) with a detection limit as low as 0.18 μM. This strategy gives a new selection of eco-friendly precursors in carbon nanomaterials and such a consecutive recognition process provides valuable insights for bio-analysis.