A rapid-response fluorescent film probe to DNT based on novel AIE materials

Abstract New aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials 4 - (3, 5- bis (4′-(1, 2, 2-triphenylvinyl)-[1, 1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-4 H -1, 2, 4-triazol-4-yl)- N , N -diphenylaniline ( BTT ) and 9-(4-(3, 5-bis(4′-(1, 2, 2-triphenylvinyl)-[1, 1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)- 4 H -1, 2, 4-triazol-4-yl) phenyl)-9H-carbazole ( BPT ) are designed and synthesized, which contain triazole, tetraphenylethylene and electron donating units. Further, their spin-coated films are used as fluorescent probes to detect 2, 4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) vapor with rapid fluorescence response, high sensitivity, high selectivity and reutilization. Moreover, by comparing BTT and BPT with other similar molecules without AIE properties, the extrusive sensing performances of BTT and BPT can be attributed to the introduction of AIE units.