Constructing a luminescent covalent organic framework
(LCOF) via
an ultrasound-assisted one-step reaction used for “one to many”
recognition of targets is a challenge. In this work, we report a fluorescent
sp2c-covalent organic framework (COF) (TzDA–BTAN–COF)
containing a regular nanoporous structure, uninterrupted π-electron
delocalization, and an electron-deficient unit. We explore the use
of the TzDA–BTAN–COF for the visual inspection and fluorescent
quantitative analyses of hazardous substances. The TzDA–BTAN–COF,
as a Janus sensor, exhibited double nature with different fluorescence
properties: “turn-on” and “turn-off.”
Fluorescence enhancement was exhibited in the presence of electron-rich
ofloxacin (OFLX) and fluorescence quenching in the presence of electron-deficient
picric acid (PA) and aristolochic acid (AAS). The fluorescence-on
and -off sensing mechanism might be attributed to the photoinduced
electron transfer by the electron transfer from the donor to the acceptor
based on theoretical calculations. In addition, the TzDA–BTAN–COF
has been used for the highly sensitive fluorescence detection of PA,
AAS, and OFLX. It exhibited good linearity toward PA, AAS, and OFLX
over the range from 0.1 to 80, 0.01 to 100, and 0.01 to 1 μg
mL–1 with a limited detection of 32.1, 3.3, and
3.0 ng mL–1, respectively. Meanwhile, the real samples
were measured, with satisfactory recoveries (95.0–105.5%) and
reliable analytical results. The TzDA–BTAN–COF is the
first nanoporous COF Janus fluorescence sensor for the “one
to many” recognition and fluorescence detection of different
hazardous substances by dual functional fluorescence-on and -off sensing.