Aggregation-induced emission supramolecular organic framework (AIE SOF) gels constructed from tri-pillar[5]arene-based foldamer for ultrasensitive detection and separation of multi-analytes†
Abstract
In this study, a novel aggregation-induced emission supramolecular organic framework (AIE SOF) with ultrasensitive response, termed FSOF, was constructed using a tri-pillar[5]arene-based foldamer. Interestingly, benefiting from the noise signal shielding properties of FSOF as well as the competition between the cation⋯π and π⋯π interactions, the FSOF shows an ultrasensitive response for multi-analytes, such as Fe3+, Hg2+ and Cr3+. The limits of detection (LODs) of the FSOF for Fe3+, Hg2+ and Cr3+ are in the range of 9.40 × 10−10–1.86 × 10−9. More importantly, the xerogel of FSOF exhibits porous mesh structures, which could effect high-efficiency separation above metal ions from their aqueous solution, with adsorption percentages in the range 92.39–99.99%. In addition, by introducing metal ions into the FSOF, a series of metal ions coordinated supramolecular organic frameworks (MSOFs) were successfully constructed. Moreover, MSOFs show selective fluorescence “turn on” ultrasensitive detection CN− (LOD = 2.12 × 10−9) and H2PO4− (LOD = 1.78 × 10−9). This is a novel approach to construct SOFs through a tri-pillar[5]arene-based foldamer, and also provides a new way to achieve ultrasensitive detection and high-efficiency separation.