Supramolecular polymer materials based on pillar[5]arene: Ultrasensitive detection and efficient removal of cyanide

An ultrasensitive detection and effective removal material was successfully developed by using a pillar[n]arene-based supramolecular polymer gel (MTP5⊃HB). The MTP5⊃HB can ultrasensitively recognize Cu2+ and Fe3+, and the limits of detection (LODs) for Cu2+ and Fe3+ are 1.55 and 2.68 nmol/L, respectively. Additionally, the in-situ generated metallogel MTP5⊃HB-Cu can exclusively detect CN−, and the LOD for CN− is 1.13 nmol/L. Noticeably, the xerogel of MTP5⊃HB-Cu can effectively remove CN− from aqueous solution with 94.40% removal rate. Test kit based on MTP5⊃HB-Cu is also prepared for convenient detection of CN−.