Perylene Imide-Based Optical Chemosensors for Vapor Detection

Abstract

Perylene imide (PI) molecules and materials have been extensively studied for optical chemical sensors, particularly those based on fluorescence and colorimetric mode, taking advantage of the unique features of PIs such as structure tunability, good thermal, optical and chemical stability, strong electron affinity, strong visible light absorption and high fluorescence quantum yield. PI-based optical chemosensors have now found broad applications in gas phase detection of chemicals, including explosives, biomarkers of some food and diseases (such as organic amines (alkylamines and aromatic amines)), benzene homologs, organic peroxides, phenols and nitroaromatics, etc. In this review, the recent research on PI-based fluorometric and colorimetric sensors, as well as array technology incorporating multiple sensors, is reviewed along with the discussion of potential applications in environment, health and public safety areas. Specifically, we discuss the molecular design and aggregate architecture of PIs in correlation with the corresponding sensor performances (including sensitivity, selectivity, response time, recovery time, reversibility, etc.). We also provide a perspective summary highlighting the great potential for future development of PIs optical chemosensors, especially in the sensor array format that will largely enhance the detection specificity in complexed environments.