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A series of dual-emission fluorescent probes was prepared from copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) and carbon dots (CDs). They show two emission peaks (blue at 469 nm and red at 622 nm) when photoexcited at 365 nm. Upon exposure to sulfide, the Cu NCs will be deteriorated because they react with sulfide to form CuS. This results in the quenching of the red fluorescence of the Cu NCs, while the blue fluorescence of the CDs remains constant. Thus, the color of the nanocomposite changes from red to blue. The ratio of the fluorescences at the two wavelengths decreases linearly in the 2–10 ppb (26–128 nM) sulfide concentration range, and the limit of detection is 0.33 ppb (4.3 nM). The nanocomposite also was placed in an agar gel and then incorporated into a paper strip for fluorometric monitoring of gaseous hydrogen sulfide. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of the synthesis of Cu NCs (copper nanoclusters)-CDs (carbon dots) dual-emission nano-assembly, Cu NCs-CDs-agar fluorescent film and their application for the detection of sulfide and H2S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]