A novel supramolecular AIE gel acts as a multi-analyte sensor array

• Published in: New journal of chemistry 2018, Vol.42 (22), p.1859-1865
• Main Authors: Yao, Hong, Wang, Jiao, Song, Shan-Shan, Fan, Yan-Qing, Guan, Xiao-Wen, Zhou, Qi, Wei, Tai-Bao, Lin, Qi, Zhang, You-Ming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blue shift; Colorimetry; Emission analysis; Fluorescence; Gelation; Naphthol; Sensor arrays; Sensors; X ray spectra
• ISSN: 1144-0546; 1369-9261
• DOI: 10.1039/c8nj04160a

A novel organic gelator ( WJ ) based on benzimidazole and acylhydrazone naphthol moities has been designed and synthesized. The organic gelator ( WJ ) could form a stable organogel ( WJG ) with strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Interestingly, the WJG shows multi-stimuli-response for many analytes such as CN − , Al 3+ and Fe 3+ and l -Cys. Therefore, a multi-analyte sensor array based on WJG has been successfully developed. The WJG presents selective fluorescent and colorimetric response for CN − . Meanwhile, the WJG could selectively identify Fe 3+ and Al 3+ in the gel state. With the addition of Fe 3+ the yellow-green AIE of WJG was quenched. In addition, the AIE of WJG could be selectively recovered by adding l -Cys. So the AIE presents an "on-off-on" type by alternatively adding Fe 3+ and l -Cys. Moreover, upon the addition of Al 3+ , the yellow-green AIE of WJG shows a blue shift and changes to blue. The detection limits of the sensor array for CN − , Al 3+ and Fe 3+ are 3.02 × 10 −6 M, 5.78 × 10 −8 M, and 3.81 × 10 −9 M, respectively. The WJG could act as a multi-analyte detection and fluorescent display material. Supramolecular gelator WJ could form a stable supramolecular organogel ( WJG ) with strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Utilizing the AIE gel, we successfully developed a multi-analyte sensor array which could accurately identify CN − , Al 3+ , and Fe 3+ and l -Cys.