Luminescent Pentacene‐Loaded Carbon Nanodots with Red‐Light Triggered Photothermal and Photosensitizing Properties

Abstract

The development of multifunctional nanosystems for photo‐induced hyperthermia and photodynamic effect is a challenging topic in the research of advanced materials for application in biomedical field. Here, we report red‐luminescent carbon‐nanodots (CDs‐PNM/PTC) derived from entrapment of pentacene (PTC) in nanodots prepared from poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) polymer (CDs‐PNM) by an easy and reagent‐free method. The CD‐PNM/PTC nanosystem was characterized by different techniques (UV‐Vis spectrophotometry, fluorescence, NMR, AFM). Molecular modelling investigations were performed to unveil stability, structures and energy of the CD‐PNM/PTC supramolecular adducts at 298 K and 315 K. The nanosized CDs–PNM/PTC exhibited excellent water‐dispersibility, good photothermal conversion efficiency and photosensitizing effect at 680 nm. No significant toxicity and eukaryotic cell uptake are features that open to potential applications in photothermal‐photodynamic treatments.