Abstract
Two new triphenylamine (TPA) based probes 1 and 2 were successfully synthesized through the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. In contrast to the basic core TPA that showed aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) phenomenon, probes presented in this study exhibited unique aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) and reversible mechanochromic properties due to their unique design of propeller-shaped geometry. AIEE active probes displayed highly sensitive solution and vapor phase detection of nitrobenzene (NB), which is a common constituent of various health hazards and unavoidable environmental threats. In solution, the highly sensitive fluorescence quenching response of probes towards NB was ascribed to a combined effect of its adjustable smaller size and photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process with size being a predominant factor. Fluorescence based detection limits of probes 1 and 2 for NB were determined as low as 2.17 and 3.21 nM, respectively. Advantageously, probes exhibited selective colorimetric detection of NB. Further, probes were found to be quite sensitive for the trace detection of NB in real samples. Additionally, the fluorescence response of probes was successfully used for the construction of logic gates.
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