Solvent-assistant self-assembly of an AIE+TICT fluorescent Schiff base for the improved ammonia detection

Tianyu Han*, Wei Wei, Jing Yuan, Yuai Duan, Yaping Li, Liangyu Hu, Yuping Dong

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Solvent-assistant self-assembly of an AIE+TICT fluorescent Schiff base into one-dimensional nanofilaments has been developed. The orientation of the assemblies can be controlled by a simple dewetting process: the filaments are interweaved when the self-assembly process is performed on a horizontal substrate, while tilting the substrate to a tiny angle results in the formation of highly oriented ones with long-range order as verified by microscopic examination. The compound shows remarkable fluorescent response to ammonia gas based on a TICT-LE transition. The self-assembled film presents higher detection sensitivity compared with the non-assembled test paper: the former enables 4.75 times faster response time and 6.86 times lower detection limit than the latter. Furthermore, the former demonstrates better selectivity toward ammonia gas in the presence of various organic amines. The sensing devices also enjoy the advantage of cyclic utilization. The fluorescence of the fumed devices can be converted back into the original state when they are heated at 100 °C for 5 min, as thermal treatment can desorb the ammonia gas that adsorbed in the sensing devices.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)104-112
Number of pages9
JournalTalanta
Volume150
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2016

Keywords

  • Aggregation-induced emission
  • Ammonia detection
  • Chemosensor
  • Nanofilaments
  • Schiff base
  • Self-assembly

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