Pyrene Derived aggregation-induced emission sensor for highly selective detection of explosive CL-20

Highlights: • A novel compound with good AIE property was systhesized • Selectively fluorescent responsetoward explosive CL-20. • The corresponding seals and cotton swabs prepared have practical application value. With the increasingly severe international situation, explosive detection has become an important topic of national security, and the rapid and efficient chemical sensors have attracted people's attention. In this work, a novel sensor CSA was synthesized through cholesterol succinate and 1-Aminopyrene. UV–vis and fluorescence spectra showed that CSA had a typical aggregation-induced emission AIE effect in THF/H₂O solution, and explosive CL-20 could effectively quench this fluorescence. Also, the seal and cotton swab prepared by CSA can specifically detect CL-20, providing a platform for the practical application of CSA in public safety.