A new aggregation-induced emission active red-emitting fluorescent sensor for ultrarapidly, selectively and sensitively detecting hydrazine and its multiple applications

Abstract In this work, a novel carbazole-indandione based red-emitting fluorescent sensor CBI was developed, which exhibited typical and interesting aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics with a large Stokes shift in mixed aqueous media. CBI as a colorimetric and fluorimetric sensor for sensing hydrazine in ~100% aqueous media shows ultrarapid response, excellent selectivity, and great sensitivity with a low detection limit of 1.18 ppb. The mechanism of CBI for highly sensing hydrazine was proved by fluorescence, FTIR, 1H NMR and HRMS spectra. Interestingly, the CBI was not only applied to sensitively detect aqueous N2H4 in water, human urine and live cells, but also was conveniently utilized to visualize gaseous N2H4 with sensitive naked-eye color diversification. Additionally, owing to its intense fluorescence irradiated by UV light, the CBI was significantly used as a new fluorescent ink for writing and drawing as well as a writable fluorescent display material.