Fluorescent Ionic\nLiquid Aggregates: A Self-Assembled\nApproach for Pesticide Detection and Catalysis

The\nunregulated use of pesticides, industrial discharge of heavy\nmetals, waste, and agricultural runoff may contaminate surface water\nand groundwater, consequently threatening ecosystems and human health.\nThus, the sensitive detection and degradation of pesticides are essential\nfor safety. In this context, herein, we have developed benzimidazolium-based\nfluorescent surfactant assemblies <b>TA-1/SDS</b> and <b>TA-2/SDBS</b>, which exhibit aggregation-induced emission enhancement\nin an aqueous medium. The aggregates (<b>TA-1/SDS</b> and <b>TA-2/SDBS</b>) displayed a turn-on emission response upon interaction\nwith carbendazim and azamethiphos with limits of detection 7.5 and\n7.8 nM, respectively. The FE-SEM and AFM studies revealed that <b>TA-1/SDS</b> and <b>TA-2/SDBS</b> undergo self-assembly\nwith the addition of AZA and CBZ, resulting in the formation of dendritic\nstructures. In addition to the quantification of AZA and CBZ, <b>TA-1/SDS</b> and <b>TA-2/SDBS</b> have also been evaluated\nto degrade both pesticides and validated using <sup>31</sup>P NMR\nspectroscopy and LC-MS spectrometry.