An anion-conjugated polyelectrolyte designed for the selective and sensitive detection of silver(I).

A novel conjugated polyelectrolyte P1, having a meta-substituted monopyridyl in the backbone, is designed and synthesized for Ag+ detection in aqueous solution. As a chemosensor, P1 shows high sensitivity, low detection limit, and excellent selectivity for Ag+ over other metal ions. The sensing mechanism is based on the specific interaction between Ag+ and the pyridyl group of P1. The aggregated state of the polymer in water can amplify its quenching efficiency.