Supramolecular Aggregation-Induced Emission Gels Based on Pillar[5]arene for Ultrasensitive Detection and Separation of Multianalytes

Abstract

A novel supramolecular AIE (aggregationinduced emission) gel (PMDP-G) based on pillar [5]arene which could ultrasensitively detect and separate multianalytes was efficiently constructed. First, a novel supramolecular gelator, PM (host), and a functionalized pillar[5]arene, DP (guest), were successfully designed and synthesized. Then, host PM and guest DP could construct a stable supramolecular AIE gel, PMDP-G, via "exo-wall" π−π interactions and host−guest interactions in cyclohexanol solution. Interestingly, PMDP-G shows bright blue-white AIE and the fluorescence quantum yield is about 60%. Moreover, PMDP-G could carry out ultrasensitive detection and separation of multianalytes such as Fe 3+ , Hg 2+ , Ag + , F − , and Br − by the competition between "exo-wall" π−π interactions and cation−π interactions. The LODs (limits of lowest detection) of these AIE gels for Fe 3+ , Hg 2+ , Ag + , F − , and Br − are in the range of 7.3 × 10 −10 −9.5 × 10 −9 M, indicating high sensitivity. More importantly, the xerogel of PMDP-G could adsorb and separate Fe 3+ , Hg 2+ , and Ag + from aqueous solution with nice adsorption property, and the adsorption rates are in the range of 90.12−99.95%. Meanwhile, supramolecular AIE gel PMDP-G could be used as a smart fluorescent display material.

N-alkylation briefly constructs tunable multifunctional sensor materials: Multianalyte detection and reversible adsorption

“…The multianalyte detection concept, which was first proposed by De Silva's group ( Magri et al., 2006 ; Schmittel and Shu, 2012 ; Chen et al., 2015 ; Magri, 2021 ), has become a hotspot in the field of sensors owing to its advantages of high efficiency, rapidity, simultaneous recognition and in-situ detection ( Xu et al., 2017 ; Park et al., 2018 ; Zhang et al., 2018 ; Chen et al., 2019a ; Zhao et al., 2021 ; Slenders et al., 2021 ; Huang et al., 2021b ; Nakamitsu et al., 2021 ). Multianalyte sensors were originally designed for multiple metal ions ( Magri et al., 2006 ), but these systems have subsequently been developed for multiple bioactive molecules ( Yin et al., 2018 ; Zhang et al, 2020b ; Thanzeel et al., 2020 ), bacteria ( Zheng et al., 2018 ), etc.…”

Supramolecular oligourethane gel as a highly selective fluorescent “on–off–on” sensor for ions

“…Experimental results demonstrated that 97.5% of Fe 3+ could be efficiently removed by OUG even from extremely dilute solutions, which indicated the excellent adsorption capacity of OUG towards Fe 3+ . 6,56,57,64 As shown in Fig. S6 (ESI †), adsorption tests of OUG toward Fe 3+ in the pH range from 4 to 10 showed that the adsorption of OUG toward Fe 3+ showed excellent stability at different pH conditions (in the range of 92.1-97.5%).…”

“…4a), indicating that the OUG combined with Fe 3+ via cation-p interactions between the urethane groups and Fe 3+ . 56,61 As Fig. 4b 2.95 ppm), which indicated the cation-anion interactions between Fe 3+ and F À or HSO 4 À could release the p-electrons of urethane groups, thus recovering the fluorescence of OUG.…”

“…55 Secondly, the high ionic strength of Fe 3+ could easily induce the transfer of p-electrons from the urethane backbone to Fe 3+ through cation-p interactions. 56 both of these effects will cause the fluorescence quenching of OUG.…”

A Stretchable Pillararene-Containing Supramolecular Polymeric Material with Self-Healing Property

“…Scientists have made great efforts to solve this problem by combining covalent bonded polymer with non-covalent interactions, including H-bond and coordination bond [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Among these various non-covalent interactions, host-guest chemistry, the central of supramolecular chemistry, has attracted tremendous attention, since it endows the system with reversible, tunable and dynamic properties [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. For example, Suzuki and Takata reported the formation of tough films by evaporation of water from dispersions of elastomer microspheres crosslinked with rotaxane supramolecules, which contained crown ether [ 27 ].…”