A hybrid CO2 ratiometric fluorescence sensor synergizing tetraphenylethene and gold nanoclusters relying on disulfide functionalized hyperbranched poly(amido amine)

Abstract Nowadays, developing effective CO2 detecting methodologies is of great significance. Herein, a hybrid ratiometric fluorescence sensor by decorating tetraphenylethene (TPE) and gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) into disulfide functionalized hyperbranched poly(amido amine) skeleton was designed for efficient and accurate ratiometric detection of dissolved CO2 in the range of 3.8 × 10−4 – 1.9 × 10-2 mol·L-1 with a detection limit of 7.8 μM. The emission ratio and color were reversible through switching the CO2/N2 stimuli. Finally, this fluorescent probe was proven to be effective for determining the CO2 concentration in real samples. This is the first report of water-soluble, quantitatively CO2-responsive, ratiometric fluorescence sensor synergizing TPE and Au NCs in the amino-rich hyperbranched skeleton without participation of any free organic compounds.