Novel biocompatible N-rich AIE fluorescent probe for live cell imaging and visual onsite detection of uranium

A sensitive and biocompatible N-rich probe for rapid visual uranium detection was constructed by grafting two trianiline groups to 2,6-bis(aminomethyl)pyridine. Possessing excellent aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property and the advantages to form multidentate chelate with U selectively, the probe has been applied successfully to visualize uranium in complex environmental water samples and living cells, demonstrating outstanding anti-interference ability against large equivalent of different ions over a wide effective pH range. A large linear range (1.0 × 10^-7-9.0 × 10^-7 mol/L) and low detection limit (72.6 nmol/L, 17.28 ppb) were achieved for the visual determination of uranium. The recognition mechanism, photophysical properties, analytical performance and cytotoxicity were systematically investigated, demonstrating high potential for fast risk assessment of uranium pollution in field and in vivo.