Room-temperature phosphorescence sensor array for the detection and discrimination of neonicotinoid insecticides based on a host–guest doping strategy†

Abstract

Detection and discrimination of neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) are highly desired, but they are still challenging tasks owing to the minor differences in the molecular structures among the massive subtypes of NNIs. In this work, a room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) sensor array for the detection and discrimination of NNIs was fabricated via a host–guest doping strategy. NNIs were doped into a boric acid host, which enhanced its RTP intensities by inhibiting the molecular motion, narrowing the energy gap between the singlet and triplet states, and providing rigid protection structures. A sensor array was fabricated by integrating the RTP intensities and emission lifetimes. Five types of NNIs were quantitatively detected and discriminated using statistical algorithms. Aided by the delayed collection model of the RTP signal, the sensor array showed excellent detection performance in real food samples. These results open a new door for designing various detection routes for applications in food analysis.