Supramolecular Polymeric Material Based on Twisted Cucurbit[14]uril: Sensitive Detection and Removal of Potential Cyanide from Water

Potassium ferricyanide in an aqueous solution is easily decomposed into highly toxic substances (potassium cyanide and hydrogen cyanide) by light or alkaline action, which poses a major hazard to environmental and human health. Here, a reticulated aggregation-induced emission (AIE) supramolecular polymer material (TPAP-Mb@tQ[14]) was prepared by the supramolecular self-assembly of twisted cucurbit[14]uril (tQ[14]) and a triphenylamine derivative (TPAP-Mb). TPAP-Mb@tQ[14] not only recognizes Fe(CN)₆^3- with sensitive specificity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.64 × 10^-7 M but can also effectively remove and adsorb Fe(CN)₆^3- from an aqueous solution with a removal rate as high as 97.38%. Meanwhile, an important component of the supramolecular polymer material (tQ[14]) can be reused. Thus, the tQ[14]-based supramolecular assembly has the potential to be used for applications addressing toxic anionic contaminants present in aqueous environments.