The study demonstrated that selective detection of nitramine and nitrate ester-based explosives could be achieved with "turn-on" fluorescence technology. In combination with the fluorescence quenching detection of nitroaromatics using polysilole (PSi), a three-step process was developed for selective explosives detection at the low nanogram level. Targeting the specific chemical features of the explosive materials leads to the highly selective and sensitive analysis of samples without the need for preconcentration or pretreatment of the sampling substrate. The direct in situ analysis of solid particulates gives this detection method an advantage over conventional sensors. This technology may also be easily integrated into a low power, portable device for low-cost, rapid explosive sensing. The use of fluorescence as the detection method allows for the possibility of much lower detection limits than those typically found in colorimetric methods. The process used first detects nitroaromatic explosives by their quenching of green luminescence of polymetalloles. The second step places down a thin film of 2,3-diaminonaphthalene while "erasing" the polymetallole luminescence. The final step completes the reaction of the nitramines and/or nitrate esters with DAN, resulting in the formation of a blue luminescent traizole complex and providing a "turn-on" response for nitramine and nitrate ester-based explosives. Materials and methods are described in detail. 1 table, 7 figures, and 30 references