Rationally introduce AIE into chemosensor: A novel and efficient way to achieving ultrasensitive multi-guest sensing

Abstract Recently, ultrasensitive detection and multi-guest sensing have received extensive attention due to their high sensitivity and efficiency. Herein, we report a novel approach to achieve ultrasensitive detection of multi-analyte. This approach is concluded as “rationally introduce Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) into chemosensor”. According to this approach, by rationally introducing self-assembly moiety, the obtained chemosensor DNS could serve as a novel AIEgen and show strong AIE in DMSO/H 2 O (water fraction 80%) binary solution. Interestingly, a simple fluorescent sensor array based on the DNS has been developed. This sensor array could selectively sense Fe 3+ , Al 3+ , H 2 PO 4 − and L-Arg in water solution. More importantly, this sensor array shows ultrasensitive detection for Fe 3+ , Al 3+ and L-Arg. The LODs of the sensor array for Fe 3+ , Al 3+ and L-Arg are in the range of 3.54 × 10 −9  M to 9.42 × 10 −9  M. Moreover, H 2 PO 4 − could realize the reversible detection of Fe 3+ in the DMSO/H 2 O (water fraction 80%) solution. Meanwhile, DNS -based test papers and thin films were prepared, which could serve as test kits for convenient detection Fe 3+ , Al 3+ , and L-Arg in water. In addition, they could also act as efficient erasable fluorescent display materials.