Furan-based AIE supramolecular self-assembly system for fluorescence detection of Ag+

A novel furan-based Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) supramolecular self-assembling gelator (BM) was designed and synthesized, which could self-assemble into a stable supramolecular gel (OBM) in the 1,2-propanediol. OBM demonstrates “turn-off” fluorescence detection of Ag+, with excellent selectivity and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 1.168×10−8 M. The self-assembly process and ion recognition sensing mechanism of OBM were comprehensively investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and rheological measurements. More importantly, single crystal were successfully obtained to validate the self-assembly process. This study provides a novel approach to constructing a multifunctional AIE self-assembly system.