One-Component Artificial Gustatory System Based on Hydrogen-Bond Organic Framework for Discrimination of Versatile Analytes

Hydrogen-bond organic frameworks (HOFs) with excellent structural and luminescent properties have emerged as a promising material for the construction of fluorescence sensors. However, designing a facile, universal and high throughput sensor with multiplex detection capacity still remains challenging. Herein, a one-component sensor array is constructed that mimics natural gustatory system for accurate and high-throughput discrimination and identification of versatile analytes. HOF as a single sensing element greatly simplifies the probe preparation in sensor array and detection procedure. Metal ions, proteins and bacteria as the model targets are rapid and accurately discriminated, presenting the universality of the system. Particularly, the system is successfully used for the classification of antibiotic mechanisms. The study expands the application scope of HOFs and provides a facile and universal system for sensing applications.

Automated summary

A one-component sensor array that mimics natural gustatory system is constructed for accurate and high-throughput discrimination and identification of versatile analytes. The system shows universality by rapidly and accurately discriminating metal ions, proteins, bacteria, and classifying antibiotic mechanisms. This study expands the application scope of HOFs and provides a facile and universal system for sensing applications.