📚 Reference InformationTitle: Benzimidazole-Based Fluorescent Films Sensors: Device-Integrated Sensing Platforms for On-Site and Rapid Detection of Nerve Agents and PhosgeneAuthors: Ke Song, Yuanxiang He, Lijia Zhang et al. (2025)Journal: Sensors and Actuators: B. Chemical
🔍 Core Issues
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Research Objective: To develop a portable, rapid, and highly sensitive chemical warfare agents (CWAs) detection platform for real-time on-site detection of nerve agent simulants DCP and phosgene (DP).
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Existing Limitations: Traditional fluorescent probes often rely on a single donor to enhance reactivity, making it difficult to systematically regulate performance; most detections are conducted in solution, which is not suitable for on-site applications; solid-state films are prone to fluorescence quenching.
🚀 Innovations
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Molecular Design Breakthrough: Designed and synthesized eight types of fluorescent probes based on benzimidazole (HBI), breaking the traditional strategy of enhancing only a single donor core, discovering that introducing either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups can enhance sensing performance.
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High-Performance Films: The selected probe HBI-TPA was loaded onto non-woven fabric to create a porous fluorescent film, achieving an adsorption capacity of up to 145.2 mg/g for DCP vapor, with a detection limit of 0.94 ppm.
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Portable Device Integration: Constructed a portable fluorescent sensing device integrated with the film, achieving an ultra-low detection limit of 37.6 ppb for DCP vapor, with a response time of <2 seconds, supporting Bluetooth remote monitoring.
📊 Research Methods
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Probe Design: Based on the ESIPT (Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer) and ICT (Intramolecular Charge Transfer) mechanisms, constructed a series of HBI probes with dual reaction sites.
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Experimental Validation:
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Spectral Analysis: Systematically studied the photophysical properties of the probes in different solvents and their fluorescent responses to DCP/DP.
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Structural Characterization: Confirmed the intramolecular hydrogen bonding and stacking modes through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, inhibiting solid-state fluorescence quenching.
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Mechanism Verification: Combined ¹H NMR, mass spectrometry, and theoretical calculations to reveal the reaction pathways and fluorescence quenching mechanisms of the probes with CWAs.
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Device Construction: Developed a portable detection device integrated with CCD, LED excitation, and Bluetooth transmission for signal acquisition and remote analysis.
✅ Key Results
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Excellent Sensitivity: The detection limits of HBI-TPA for DCP and DP are 0.0436 µM and 0.0367 µM, respectively, ranking among the top in the literature.
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Strong Film Adsorption Capacity: The HBI-TPA film has a maximum adsorption capacity of 145.2 mg/g for DCP vapor, significantly higher than the blank substrate (37.3 mg/g).
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Outstanding Device Performance: The portable device has a detection limit as low as 37.6 ppb for DCP vapor, with a response time of <2 seconds, good stability, and strong anti-interference.
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Good Selectivity: Probes like HBI-TPA can effectively distinguish between DCP/DP and ten types of interfering substances (including strong acids), demonstrating excellent specificity.
📌 DisclaimerThis article is an academic interpretation and not the original content. Please refer to the original literature for citations:DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.139124
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