Competition of Exo-wall pi-pi and Lone Pair-pi Interactions: A Viable Approach to Achieve Ultrasensitive Detection and Effective Removal of AsO2- in Water

Arsenite (AsO2-) is a toxic pollutant for the environment and very harmful to human health. Hence, highly selective and ultrasensitive detection of AsO2- is a very significant issue for a scientific researcher. Herein, an efficient approach for ultrasensitive detection of AsO2- (the lowest detection limit is 1.7 nM) was successfully developed by employing competition among lone pair-pi and exo-wall pi-pi interactions in a bicomponent aggregation-induced emission (AIE) pi-gel (ST-G) system. In addition, the xerogel powder of ST-G also could efficiently remove AsO2- from water. This work provides an ultrasensitive method for detection and removal of AsO2- in water.