Dimalononitrile-containing probe based on aggregation-enhanced emission features for the multi-mode fluorescence...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Sensing
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Volatile amine detection is crucial for environmental monitoring and safety.
• Aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE) materials offer unique photophysical properties for sensing.
• Developing sensitive and rapid detection methods for amine vapors remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, highly sensitive, and rapid sensor for volatile amine vapors.
• To utilize a hexaphenyl-1,3-butadiene derivative with AEE properties for amine detection.
• To demonstrate the sensor's effectiveness using fluorescence, UV, and naked-eye detection.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of 2,2'-((((1Z,3Z)-1,2,3,4-tetraphenylbuta-1,3-diene-1,4-diyl)bis(4,1-phenylene))bis(methanylylidene))dimalononitrile (ZZ-HPB-CN).
• Preparation of the sensor by depositing ZZ-HPB-CN on filter paper.
• Testing the sensor's response to various concentrations of amine vapors using fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and visual observation.

Main Results:

• The ZZ-HPB-CN sensor exhibited typical aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE) characteristics.
• The sensor demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting volatile amine vapors, with a limit of detection as low as 1 ppb via fluorescence.
• A distinct color change was observable under UV light or with the naked eye for amine vapor concentrations between 1-10 ppm.

Conclusions:

• The developed ZZ-HPB-CN sensor provides a sensitive, rapid, and user-friendly platform for volatile amine detection.
• The multi-mode detection capability (fluorescence, UV, naked-eye) enhances its practical applicability.
• The sensor shows significant potential for real-life applications in environmental monitoring and safety due to its ease of operation and high performance.