Detecting methylphenethylamine vapor using fluorescence aggregate concentration quenching materials

A facile method to prepare a high-performance vapor sensor utilizing ACQ fluorescent material which cannot luminesce in aggregate state was presented. Based on doping ACQ probe into a polystyrene solution then fabricate porous film via breath figure method (BFs), a sensing film with excellent gas-phase sensing performance was obtained. The response time and quenching efficiency of sensors based on this method were considerably improved compared with those directly spin-coated on quartz plates. Our results identify a simple strategy that can bring about enhanced optical intensity and superior sensing performance towards MPEA. Most importantly, these findings provide a low-cost method for the facile realization of high surface-to-volume ratio fluorescent sensors for vapor analytes via using ACQ materials, with great flexibility and expandability. [Display omitted] •A facile method to prepare a high-performance vapor sensor utilizing ACQ fluorescent material which cannot luminesce in aggregate state.•Significantly enhance the optical intensity and sensing performance of the ACQ fluorescent material in solid state.•A simple method for preparing porous sensing films is provided.•Sensitive, selective, and reliable detection towards MPEA (methylphenylethylamine, a simulatant of methamphetamine) was achieved. Organic thin-film fluorescent sensors for vapor with high sensitivity, rapid response, and no pollution to analytes have received widespread attention. However, the development of vapor sensors is very slow. The difficulty lies in most fluorescent materials cannot luminesce in solid state because of ACQ (aggregate concentration quenching) effect. Previous works have usually focused on the design and synthesis of new materials to avoid ACQ effect. Whereas, if existing ACQ materials can be utilized, it will greatly expand the selection range of fluorescent materials used in vapor sensors. In this study, a high-performance vapor sensor utilizing ACQ fluorescent material was successfully prepared based on doping/breath figure method. Firstly, the fluorescence emission of ACQ molecule in solid state was realized by doping with polymer. Then porous sensing film was fabricated via breath figure method (BFs) with large surface-to-volume ratio. Finally, the vapor sensing of ACQ molecule was realized. Herein, the molecule BOR−CHO was selected as ACQ probe doping with polystyrene to get good solid-state luminescence. Then high-quality porous sensing film was obtained by