Boosting Non‐Radiative Decay to Do Useful Work: Development of a Multi‐Modality Theranostic System from an AIEgen

Abstract

The efficient utilization of energy dissipating from non-radiative excited-state decayo ff luorophores was only rarely reported. Herein, we demonstrate how to boost the energy generation of non-radiative decayand use it for cancer theranostics.Anovel compound (TFM) was synthesized which possesses arotor-like twisted structure,strong absorption in the far red/near-infrared region, and it shows aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the TFM aggregate is in an amorphous form consisting of disordered molecules in al oose packing state,w hicha llows efficient intramolecular motions,a nd consequently elevates energy dissipation from the pathway of thermal deactivation. These intrinsic features enable TFM nanoparticles (NPs) to displayahigh photothermal conversion efficiency (51.2 %), an excellent photoacoustic (PA) effect, and effective reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In vivo evaluation shows that the TFM NPs are excellent candidates for PA imagingguided phototherapy.

Making the Best Use of Excited-State Energy: Multimodality Theranostic Systems Based on Second Near-Infrared (NIR-II) Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens (AIEgens)

“…Although this is troublesome upon most occasions, we can smartly take advantage of this non-radiative decay energy by installing molecular rotors for potential PTT, PTI and PAI applications. [28][29][30][31] Additionally, as molecules with long emission wavelength generally have narrowed highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) bandgaps accompanying with relatively small singlet-triplet energy gaps (ΔEST), reactive singlet oxygen (ROS) species production is facilitated as a result of high intersystem crossing yield, which is beneficial for photodynamic therapy (PDT). [32][33][34] Therefore, through structural design and regulation, we are able to make the best use of excited state energy of the AIEgen to construct an ideal multi-modality theranostic platform.…”

A Cost‐Effective D‐A‐D Type Hole‐Transport Material Enabling 20% Efficiency Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells†

“…TPA‐FO and TPA‐PDO in Scheme 1 were synthesized by a one‐step Suzuki coupling reaction, and the corresponding route is presented in Scheme S1, [ 23 ] and the synthetic cost was calculated in Table S1. TPA‐FO and TPA‐PDO consist of TPA as D units, and carbonyl group‐functionalized arenes, fluorenone and phenanthrenedione, as the rigid planar A units, respectively.…”

Zwitterionic AIEgens: Rational Molecular Design for NIR‐II Fluorescence Imaging‐Guided Synergistic Phototherapy

“…[ 10 ] Moreover, most NIR‐II AIEgens adopt an electron donating‐accepting‐donating (D‐A‐D) type structure with benzo[1,2‐c:4,5‐c′]bis([1,2,5]thiadiazole) as electron accepting unit, therefore, further improvement on molecular diversity is still called for. [ 11 ] Additionally, in view of the fact that FLI‐guided phototherapy involving photodynamic therapy (PDT) and/or photothermal therapy (PTT) has been recognized to be a promising strategy for simultaneous disease diagnosis and therapy, especially for cancer theranostics, [ 12 ] developing effective AIE photosensitizer for NIR‐II FLI‐guided synergistic phototherapy remains an needed task with very limited success. [ 13 ]…”