Tetraphenylethene-Based Fluorescent Chemosensor with Mechanochromic and Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) Properties for the Selective and Sensitive Detection of Hg²⁺ and Ag⁺ Ions in Aqueous Media: Application to Environmental Analysis

Abstract

It is critical to design a novel and simple bifunctional sensor for the selective and sensitive detection of ions in an aqueous media in environmental samples. As a result, in this study, tetraphenylethene hydrazinecarbothioamide (TPE-PVA), known as probe 1, was successfully synthesized and characterized as having impressive photophysical phenomena such as aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and mechanochromic properties by applying mechanical force to the solid of probe 1. The emission of the solid of probe 1 changed from turquoise blue to lemon yellow after grinding, from lemon yellow to parakeet green after annealing at 160 °C, and to arctic blue after fuming with DCM. Such characteristics could lead to a variety of applications in several fields. The probe was implemented and demonstrated remarkable selectivity and sensitivity toward mercury(II) and silver(I) ions by substantially switching off emission over other cations. Following an extensive photophysical analysis, it was discovered that detection limits (LOD) as low as 0.18344 and 0.2384 μg mL –1 for Hg 2+ and Ag + , respectively, are possible with a quantum yield (Φ) of 2.26. Probe 1 was also explored as a Hg 2+ and Ag + paper strip-based sensor and kit for practical use. The binding mechanisms of probe 1 (TPE-PVA) with Hg 2+ and Ag + were confirmed by 1 H NMR titration. These results could lead to the development of reliable onsite Hg 2+ and Ag + fluorescent probes in the future.

Tetraphenylethene Carbothioamide‐Based Organic Stimuli‐Responsive Mechanochromic Memristive Devices with Non‐Volatile Memory and Synaptic Learning Functionalities

“…This will help the TC material to transform its amorphous state to a crystalline state (recrystallization) during the fuming and heating process. However, the TC material does not show a reversible mechanochromic phenomenon [18,19] . During the heating and fuming, the solvent was found to be evaporated.…”

A Tetraphenylethene‐Based Aggregation‐Induced Emission Luminogen (AIEgen) With Mechanochromic Phenomena for Highly Selective Naked‐Eye Detection of Mno4− Directly in Aqueous Media

“…Figure S1 (Supporting Information) shows the UV-vis absorption spectra of the ChemistrySelect chemosensor with the addition of each anion in a mixed aqueous media (ACN: H 2 O 1 : 9 v/v) mixture. [24] As per an absorbance spectrum except for the MnO 4 À anions, the UV-vis absorbance spectrum of the chemosensor (TPEgen) did not change significantly after the addition of each tested anion. After the addition of MnO 4 À anion the absorbance spectrum changed immediately and drastically, and the absorbance maxima at 360 nm completely vanished and emerged a new band at 352 nm.…”

“…The maximum absorption of the chemosensor is centered at a 365 nm wavelength. Figure S1 (Supporting Information) shows the UV‐vis absorption spectra of the chemosensor with the addition of each anion in a mixed aqueous media (ACN: H 2 O 1 : 9 v/v) mixture [24] …”

“…The experimental details and characterization of the present compound are reported in our previous work [24] …”

“…The experimental details and characterization of the present compound are reported in our previous work. [24] 1,2-Bromo-1,2,2-triphenylethylene (335.24 mg, 1.0 mmol) as well as 4-formylphenylboronic acid (179.9 mg, 1.2 mmol), which are dissolved in a 20 mL solution of tetrahydrofuran and a 2 M potassium carbonate aqueous solution (7 mL). The entire mixture was stirred for 0.5 hours.…”