J-Aggregate-Triggering BODIPYs: an Ultrasensitive Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Sensing Platform for Perfluorooctanesulfonate

Contamination of water supplies by polyfluoroalkyl substances, notably perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), has serious health and environmental consequences. Therefore, the development of straightforward and effective means of monitoring and removing PFASs is urgently required. In this study, we report a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of PFOS and PFOA in water that rely on the J-aggregate formation of meso-ester-BODIPY dyes. The dye C10-mim, which contains a hydrophilic methylimidazolium group and a hydrophobic alkylated BODIPY, self-assembles in water into weakly green-emissive micellar assemblies. Upon binding to PFOS or PFOA, a spontaneous disassembly and reorganization forms orange-emissive J-aggregates. The rapid formation (<= 5 s) of J-aggregates and the accompanying spectral shifts provide a superior sensing performance, with excellent sensitivity (limit of detection=0.18 ppb for PFOS) and distinct chromogenic and fluorogenic "turn-on" responses. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are chemicals that bioaccumulate and resist degradation, posing serious threats to health and the environment. Current analytical methods are ill-suited for the rapid visual detection of point sources of contamination in the field. Here, a simple, rapid, and highly sensitive chromogenic and fluorogenic "turn-on" sensor is reported that can detect and remove PFASs from contaminated water with high efficiency.image