A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Al3+ in aqueous solution based on aggregation-induced emission and its application in live-cell imaging

• The chemosensor 1 developed here performed a ratiometric response to Al3+.
• Al3+ detection can be undertaken in aqueous solution at neutral pH.
• The sensor design was transformed into test papers for the detection of Al3+.
• The application of 1 for Al3+ imaging in live cells was also achieved.

A ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor 1 was developed for the detection of Al3+ in aqueous solution based on aggregation-induced emmision (AIE). The chemosensor showed the fluorescence of its aggregated state and Al3+-chelated soluble state in the absence and in the presence of Al3+, respectively, and resulted in a fluorescence ratio (I461/I537) response to Al3+ in neutral aqueous solution at a detection limit as low as 0.29 μmol L−1. The method was also highly selective to Al3+ over other physiological relevant metal ions investigated in this study. Taking advantage of its AIE characteristics, the chemosensor was successfully applied on test papers for simple and rapid detection of Al3+. Moreover, the application of 1 for the imaging of Al3+ in living cells by ratiometric fluorescence changes was also achieved.

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