The selective detection of chloroform using an organic molecule with aggregation-induced emission properties in the solid state as a fluorescent sensor

An one-step synthesized 1,2,4,5-tetraphenyl-1,4-dihydropyrrolo [3,2-b]pyrrole (DPPTP) exhibits aggregation-induced emission enhancement properties. The solid film prepared by spin-coating a DPPTP solution in THF onto a quartz glass showed rapid response and excellent selectivity to chloroform when fumed with different organic solvents. Experimental results show that hydrochloric gas produced from the photodecomposition of chloroform is the main reason for the fluorescent response of the DPPTP film to chloroform. The DPPTP solid films have good reversibility and also can be used as a quantitative analysis sensor for the detection of chloroform as low as 100 ppm.