Electrospun nanofibrous membrane based on AIE-active compound for detecting picric acid in aqueous solution

An electrospun membrane (CB-PS) was prepared by electrospinning technique from a solution of aggregation induced emission (AIE) active compound 5-(N-carbazole styryl)-1,3-dimethyl-barbituric acid (CB) and polystyrene (PS) in DMF/THF. The membrane was electrospun upon amino-functionalized glass [G-NH2], producing a fluorescent sensor [CB-PS]/[G-NH2] for detecting picric acid (PA). The AIE-active compound were highly photostable and the sensor [CB-PS]/[G-NH2] exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of PA over nitroaromatics (NACs) in aqueous phase. The quenching constant (KSV) to PA was obtained to be 3.29 × 104 M−1 in aqueous phase with a limit of detection (LOD) up to 228 ppb. Selectivity study demonstrates that common interferents have an insignificant effect on the emission intensity of the fluorescent nanofibers in aqueous phase, while reusability study indicates that the fluorescent nanofibers can be regenerated. Real water sample was also tested, and negligible matrix effect on explosives detection was observed. The fluorescence quenching by PA can be attributed to the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) in the quenching process. This research provides new insights into the application of AIE-active materials in fluorescent nanofibrous explosive sensor.