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A novel bis-component AIE-gel TG was facilely constructed from two "easy-to-synthesize" tripodal gelators by a simple host-guest self-assembly process. Interestingly, the TG shows strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and could be used for highly efficient and sensitive detection and separation of ions (CN-, Fe3+ and H2PO4-). The LODs (limits of lowest detection) of TG for CN-, Fe3+ and H2PO4- are in the range of 4.93 × 10-9-7.80 × 10-8 M. Meanwhile, the xerogel of TG could adsorb and separate Fe3+ from aqueous solutions, and the adsorption rate is 96%. In addition, a thin film based on the TG could act as a convenient test kit for the detection of CN- and Fe3+. What is more, the TG-Fe film could not only be used as an erasable secure fluorescent display material, but also as a convenient reversible H2PO4- test kit.

A novel supramolecular aggregation induced emission (AIE) π-gel (ONT) was constructed by using a functionalized trimesic amide (TCP) molecule assembled with a bis-pyridine functionalized naphthalene diimide (ND) molecule using a non-covalent interaction. The ONT showed strong AIE at 468 nm. Furthermore, the ONT could detect and adsorb ferric (Fe3+) or cupric (Cu2+) ions from water. Meanwhile, a thin film based on supramolecular AIE π-gel ONT was prepared, which could be used as a fluorescent security display material for detecting Fe3+ or Cu2+. Thus, the AIE π-gel ONT shows potential for practical applications in efficient multi-analyte detection and separation and as a fluorescent display material.

A novel bis-component AIE-gel TG was facilely constructed from two "easy-to-synthesize" tripodal gelators by a simple host-guest self-assembly process. Interestingly, the TG shows strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and could be used for highly efficient and sensitive detection and separation of ions (CN

A series of stable super metal hydrogels (TP-Ms, M = Tb3+, Eu3+, La3+ and Ce3+) with a low critical gelation concentration (2.28 × 10−3 M, 0.1%) was successfully constructed by forming hierarchical assemblies of a tripodal gelator (TP) with rare earth metal ions (Tb3+, Eu3+, La3+ and Ce3+). Interestingly, the super metal hydrogels TP-Eu and TP-La show a specific and ultrasensitive response to histidine (His). The addition of a series of amino acids into the metal hydrogels TP-Eu and TP-La showed that only His could induce distinct fluorescent enhancement for TP-Eu and TP-La, while other amino acids did not significantly interfere with the His sensing process. The LODs of super metal–hydrogel TP-Eu and TP-La for His are (1.83–1.94) × 10−9 and (1.83–1.85) × 10−9 M, respectively. In addition, constructing super supramolecular metal hydrogels by hierarchical assemblies of an easily synthesized tripodal gelator and rare earth metal ions is a novel and efficient approach to the design and development of multi-functional super supramolecular metal hydrogel-based materials.