Recyclable Supramolecular Assembly‐Induced Emission System for Selective Detection and Efficient Removal of Mercury(II)

An efficient strategy for simultaneously detecting and removing Hg2+ from water is vital to address mercury pollution. Herein a supramolecular assembly G⊂H with photoluminescent properties is facilely constructed through the self‐assembly of a functional pillar[5]arene bearing two N,N‐dimethyldithiocarbamoyl binding sites (H) and an AIE‐active tetraphenylethene derivative (G). Remarkably, the fluorescence of G⊂H can be exclusively quenched by Hg2+ among the 30 cations due to the formation of non‐luminous ground state complex and only L‐cysteine can restore fluorescence in the common 20 amino acids. Meanwhile, the probe G⊂H has a considerable thermal and pH stability, a good anti‐interference property from various cations, and a satisfactory sensitivity. More importantly, G⊂H exhibits a prominent capability of Hg2+ removal with rapid capture rate (within 1 h) and excellent adsorption efficiency (98 %), as well as a highly efficient recyclability without losing any adsorption activity. A supramolecular functional system with appreciable photoluminescent properties on the basis of the supramolecular assembly‐induced emission enhancement (SAIEE) mechanism is successfully constructed through host‐guest interactions, which shows great potentials in simultaneously selective detection and efficient removal of Hg2+ from water owing to the formation of non‐luminous ground state complexes. This system also possesses excellent regeneration ability without the loss of adsorption activity.