Enríquez-Palacios E, Robledo-Patiño AV, Zelada-Guillén GA. Zn-Salphen Acrylic Films Powered by Aggregation-Induced Enhanced Emission for Sensing Applications.
J Fluoresc 2024;
34:1903-1912. [PMID:
37665511 PMCID:
PMC11249402 DOI:
10.1007/s10895-023-03399-6]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Zn(II) complexes possess attractive characteristics for supramolecular chemistry, catalysis, and optoelectronic applications, while Zn-Salphen counterparts are also suitable as chemical sensors, although limited by solution-based to date. In this study, we report the synthesis of new polymers from methyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and a non-symmetrical Zn-Salphen complex. We show that this low-fluorescent complex exhibits aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) properties and that, the incorporation of AIEE complexes into a polymeric matrix make it possible to achieve fluorescent films with enhanced fluorescence suitable for sensing applications. As a proof of concept, these films could detect acetic acid, showing a decrease of up to 73% in the original fluorescence. Host/guest studies showed a subtle disruption of the emission in aggregates upon treatment with anion guests. These results indicate that an interaction between the guest and Zn-Salphen complex may occur, stabilizing or destabilizing the complex and causing a concomitant increase or decrease in emission.
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