Light up detection of heparin based on aggregation-induced emission and synergistic counter ion displacement

Heparin is a widely used anticoagulant and the quantification of heparin concentration is pivotal for clinical use. However, previous fluorescent probes for heparin detection are usually based on fluorophores with aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) properties, which severely restrict their applications for quantitative measurement of heparin in a wide range. Herein, we develop an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) probe HPQ-TBP-I for light up detection of heparin based on the electrostatic interaction-triggered formation of the HPQ-TBP/heparin complex and simultaneous displacement of the fluorescence quencher iodide ion. A linear relationship from 0 to 14 μM of heparin accompanied with a low detection limit of 22 nM was achieved, which fully covers the whole clinical dose range (1.7-10 μM). It is anticipated that this easily accessible and sensitive AIE probe is promising for clinical applications.