Issue 40, 2018

Double layer 3D codes: fluorescent supramolecular polymeric gels allowing direct recognition of the chloride anion using a smart phone

Abstract

Reported here is a two-layer gel construct that permits the on-site detection of the chloride anion by means of a hand-held UV-vis lamp and a smart phone “app”. To prepare this system, eight fluorescent polymeric gels G1–G8 were synthesized. Gels G1–G4 containing C4P/imidazolium-F anion recognition motifs were used to construct a fluorescent pattern (Code A) that may be read out by a smart phone as a 3D color code (Info A). Gels G5–G8, which are based on C4P/imidazolium-Br anion interactions, were used to construct an array (Code B) that may be read as Info B. Code B was then adhered to the surface of Code A to produce an adhered double layer code system stabilized by interfacial C4P/imidazolium-Br anion interactions. Readout of the top layer (Code B) could be achieved without interference from Code A. Treatment with a Cl anion source was found to delaminate the top layer and leave intact the more robust bottom layer, allowing the bottom layer (Code A) to be read out. The disparate information content associated with Codes A and B thus permits the on-site recognition of Cl. The present sensing strategy does not rely on elaborate instrumentation and could provide a new application for elaborated soft materials.

Graphical abstract: Double layer 3D codes: fluorescent supramolecular polymeric gels allowing direct recognition of the chloride anion using a smart phone

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
03 Aug 2018
Accepted
29 Aug 2018
First published
30 Aug 2018
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 7746-7752

Double layer 3D codes: fluorescent supramolecular polymeric gels allowing direct recognition of the chloride anion using a smart phone

X. Ji, W. Chen, L. Long, F. Huang and Jonathan L. Sessler, Chem. Sci., 2018, 9, 7746 DOI: 10.1039/C8SC03463J

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