Abstract

The accurate discrimination of structurally analogous neurotransmitters remains a formidable challenge due to their high structural similarity and overlapping chemical properties. To address the limitations of low specificity in single-probe sensors and the fabrication complexity of multi-component arrays, we developed a simplified fluorescence sensing array based on a single pyrene-functionalized MOF, In-TBAPy. This strategy leverages the distinctive monomer-to-excimer luminescence transition of In-TBAPy, triggered by the tunable π-π stacking of pyrene units within the crystalline framework. The results demonstrate that the array, integrated with Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) across four optimized emission channels, achieves a classification accuracy of 93.75% in identifying four highly similar neurotransmitters: serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), adrenaline (A), and norepinephrine (NA). Notably, the sensing platform exhibits exceptional robustness in simulated physiological environments and complex multi-analyte mixtures, enabling reliable quantitative analysis: 0–100 μM for 5-HT and adrenaline (A), 0–40 μM for dopamine (DA), and 0–80 μM for norepinephrine. Mechanistic studies suggest that the differential quenching of monomer and excimer peaks stems from the synergistic effect of competitive absorption and host–guest interactions. This work effectively overcomes the cross-interference issues of traditional sensors and validates a high-efficiency solution for high-throughput neurotransmitter analysis using a single-material-based array strategy, significantly reducing operational costs and preparation time.

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