Inspired　by　the　structure　and　properties　of　gemini　surfactant,　a　novel　amphiphilic　gemini-iridium　complex　(GIC-Ir)　has　been　developed,　which　can　spontaneously　form　vesicles　by　self-assembly　and　exhibit　excellent　dispersibility　and　high　emission　intensity　in　water.　The　emission　of　GIC-Ir　can　be　rapidly　and　selectively　quenched　by　picric　acid　(PA)　due　to　the　aromatic　groups　and　two　long-chain　quaternary　ammonium　(QA)　groups　with　positive　charge,　which　endow　GIC-Ir　vesicles　outstanding　capability　to　capture　negatively　charged　PA,　and　greatly　promote　the　interaction　between　GIC-Ir　and　PA.　Theoretical　calculations　and　spectral　studied　indicated　that　the　photoinduced　electron　transfer　and　resonance　energy　transfer　may　be　responsible　to　the　emission　quenching.　Furthermore,　the　real　water　samples　and　in　vitro　studies　further　prove　that　GIC-Ir　can　be　used　as　a　promising　chemosensor　for　the　detection　of　PA　both　in　water　and　intracellular.　©　2019