AIE active turn-off fluorescent probe for the detection of Cu^2 + ions

A novel AIE active Schiff base compound (receptor 1) has been designed, synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. Receptor 1 show weak emission in solution state but emit strongly in solid state. The investigation on the AIE behavior of receptor 1 using solvent-non-solvent (THF-Water) interaction reveals a maximum PL intensity on reaching the water fraction 90% (fw = 90) due to nanoaggregation. Furthermore, demonstration of metal ion sensing application of receptor 1 unravel that it could act as selective and sensitive sensor for Cu2 + ions in aqueous solution via fluorescence “turn-off” manner. The quenching behavior of receptor 1 in presence of Cu2 + ions were evaluated using Stern-Volmer plot.