Pillar[5]arene-based supramolecular AIE hydrogel with white light emission for ultrasensitive detection and effective separation of multianalytes

Light-emitting materials are of significant interest because of their vast potential applications in electroluminescent devices/displays and sensors. Herein, a novel bi-component supramolecular aggregation-induced emission (AIE) hydrogel (PDG) was successfully prepared withp-hydroxybenzonic acid-functionalized pillar[5]arene (SPA) and tri-(pyridine-4-yl)-functionalized trimesic amide (DTB) by a simple host-guest assembly process. The most attractive feature ofPDGis its practical white-light-emitting property, which can be used for ultrasensitive detection and separation of Pb2+, Cr3+, and Fe(3+)ions. The limits of lowest detection (LODs) ofPDGfor Pb2+, Cr3+, and Fe(3+)are approximately 6.74 x 10(-9), 7.18 x 10(-9), and 8.25 x 10(-9)M, respectively. Strikingly, by rationally introducing these metal ions into thePDG, a series of metal-ion-coordinated supramolecular metallogelsPDG-CrandPDG-Fewas constructed, and these metallogels can selectively detect CN(-)and H2PO4-, respectively. The LODs ofPDG-CrandPDG-Fefor CN(-)and H(2)PO(4)(-)reached up to 10(-8)M. The preparedPDG-based thin films can act as a smart fluorescent display material and test kit. The xerogel ofPDGcan adsorb and separate Pb2+, Cr3+, and Fe(3+)from aqueous solution, with adsorption rates ranging from 96.73% to 98.95%.