A highly sensitive fluorescent sensor for ammonia detection based on aggregation-induced emission luminogen-doped...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Ammonia is a toxic substance causing respiratory irritation.
• Existing ammonia detection methods are often expensive, complex, and time-consuming.
• There is a need for simple, sensitive, and cost-effective ammonia detection techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive fluorescent sensor for ammonia detection.
• To utilize aggregation-induced emission luminogen-doped liquid crystals for sensing.
• To create a simple, low-cost, and effective ammonia detection method.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a liquid crystal-based fluorescent sensor doped with aggregation-induced emission luminogen.
• Utilizing the disturbance of homeotropic liquid crystal orientation by ammonia to alter fluorescence intensity.
• Detection of ammonia without the need for polarizers.

Main Results:

• The sensor demonstrated a low detection limit of 5.4 ppm for gaseous ammonia, significantly lower than previous liquid crystal sensors.
• A broad detection range from 0 ppm to 1600 ppm was achieved.
• The sensor successfully detected aqueous ammonia with a low limit of detection of 1.8 ppm.

Conclusions:

• The developed sensor is highly sensitive, selective, simple, and low-cost for ammonia detection.
• This approach offers wide potential applications in chemical and biological fields.
• The strategy provides a foundation for designing liquid crystal fluorescent sensors for other toxic substances.