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[Display omitted] • A novel "turn-on" fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of Al3+ was developed. • The probe exhibited anti-interference recognition and low detection limit of 22.0 nM. • The detection mechanism of the probe for Al3+ is the formation of Al-complex. • HL can be utilized as a film to detect Al3+ ions. Many Al3+ sensors have been reported in the literature, the lack of spectral features and poor coordination of Al3+ pose a significant challenge to detection. Herein, the design and synthesis of a Schiff's base (HL) sensor is reported, which exhibits a turn-on response to Al3+ in an aqueous solution, and the fluorescence color of HL from light green to cyan upon the addition of Al3+. The limit of detection (LOD) for Al3+ was determined to be 2.20 x 10−8 M. The mechanism for fluorescence sensing was revealed through the analysis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, DFT, and UV–vis absorption spectra. HL gradually coordinated with Al3+ during the titration process, leading to the formation of HL-Al crystals. The outcome of this study resulted in the successful preparation and application of flexible and foldable films for visual detection of Al3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]