An Efficient Aggregation-Induced Emission Supramolecular Probe for Detection of Nitroaromatic Explosives in Water

Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) are the components of explosives that pose a serious hazard to the environment and human health, especially 2,4,6-trinitro-phenol (TNP), which has strong explosibility and good water solubility. An effective supramolecular fluorescent probe for nitroaromatic detection is prepared based on the sulfato-beta-cyclodextrin (SCD)-induced molecular aggregation of 9,10-bis{4-[2-( N, N, N- trimethylammonium)hexyloxy]styrene} anthracene dibromide (AnEA) and subsequent aggregation-induced emission, which presents high sensitivity particularly toward TNP with a detection limit of 586 ppb in water and 23 ppb on the test paper. Herein, a convenient and effective supramolecular means for nitro-detection in water is provided.