AIE luminogen functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles as efficient fluorescent sensor for explosives detection in water

The aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogen functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared via post-grafting 1,2-bis[4-(bromomethyl)phenyl]-1,2-diphenylethene (TPE-MB) on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified MSNs. The obtained materials combine the unique properties of the AIE luminogen and porous materials, and their emission wavelength can be changed from 467 to 527 nm by loading different amount of NE molecules, showing an obvious red shift from blue light to yellow light. Such materials with well dispersibility in water are used as an efficient fluorescent sensor for the detection of explosives, including picric acid (PA), 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT), nitrobenzene (NB) in water. The obtained materials can be recycled by simply washing with proper solvents. The high sensitivity, increased chemical stability and recyclability of the NE luminogen functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles promise that they can be used as an excellent fluorescence probe for future practical applications in explosives detection. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.