Aggregation-induced emission tetraphenylethylene derivative as optical sensor for ammonia detection

We propose a general approach for the achievement of optical sensors, where ammonia can be rapidly identified and detected through visible fluorescence changes. Here, a tetraphenylethylene derivative with carboxyl groups named TPE-2CA (4,4ʹ-(1,2-Diphenylethene-1,2-diyl) dibenzoyl acid) was applied in the sensor. The AIE (aggregation-induced emission) property of tetraphenylethylene structure provides the samples with excellent luminescent performance in aggregated state. The reaction between carboxyl groups and ammonia causes the shifts on luminescence spectra of the samples. Consequently, different ammonia concentrations can be measured by the time required for luminescent peak blue shifts of samples. Furthermore, we also succeed in growing TPE-2CA micro-spindle structured particles, which nanoparticle structure was instrumental in the miniaturisation and integration of future sensors.