Light up detection of heparin based on aggregation-induced emission and synergistic counter ion displacement

Abstract

Heparin is a widely used anticoagulant and the quantification of heparin concentration is pivotal for clinical use. However, previous fluorescent probes for heparin detection are usually based on fluorophores with aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) properties, which severely restrict their applications for quantitative measurement of heparin in a wide range. Herein, we develop an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) probe HPQ-TBP-I for light up detection of heparin based on the electrostatic interaction-triggered formation of the HPQ-TBP/heparin complex and simultaneous displacement of the fluorescence quencher iodide ion. A linear relationship from 0 to 14 μM of heparin accompanied with a low detection limit of 22 nM was achieved, which fully covers the whole clinical dose range (1.7–10 μM). It is anticipated that this easily accessible and sensitive AIE probe is promising for clinical applications.