Multifunctional AIE-ESIPT dual mechanism tetraphenylethene-based Schiff base for inkless rewritable paper and a colorimetric/fluorescent dual-channel Zn2+ sensor

An AIE-ESIPT-active compound was rationally designed and facilely developed, which exhibits multifunctional applications in inkless rewritable paper, a colorimetric/fluorescent dual-channel sensor for Zn²⁺ ions and fluorescence imaging of Zn²⁺ ions in living cells.