Integrating AIE with Sorbents for Simultaneous CO2 Monitoring and Capture

The AIE molecules enable highly sensitive, specific CO2 detection in complex environments due to their unique photophysical properties, while the MBS provide high CO2 selectivity and low-energy regeneration. By integrating the two technologies, the system achieves real-time CO2 level monitoring and dynamic adjustment of capture efficiency, offering a scalable, energy-efficient solution for CO2 management. In this study, we designed an AIE-active MBS by covalently grafting a CO2-sensitive AIEgen onto the mesoporous silica scaffold. The AIEgen remains in a non-emissive state when the pores are empty, but upon exposure to CO2, the formation of alkylammonium carbamates from the reaction between CO2 and the impregnated amines triggers a polarity and rigidity change in the local microenvironment. This restricts the intramolecular rotation of the AIEgen, turning on a strong fluorescence signal. The performance of the integrated system will be validated in controlled, enclosed environments, targeting applications ranging from indoor air quality control to confined‑space safety. This research advances both the sensing and capture aspects of CO2 management, with transformative implications for environmental sustainability, industrial applications, and climate change mitigation. Further optimization focuses on improving humidity tolerance and reducing regeneration energy. Ultimately, this project promises to deliver a novel, practical platform for CO2 monitoring and capture that pushes beyond the limits of current technologies.