journal article·2026-01

Molecular Engineering of AIE‐Active Ionic Photosensitizer for Dual‐Organelle Targeted NIR‐II Phototheranostics

Jianhong Huang, Jun Zhu, Shuo Xiang, Lei Wang, Dong Wang, Ben Zhong Tang

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 36· Issue 3
Publisher page

Abstract

Abstract Fluorescence imaging (FLI)‐guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising strategy for precision cancer treatment. However, the rational design of phototheranostic agents integrating long‐wavelength emission, efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and precise organelle targeting remains a formidable challenge. In this study, quantum chemistry and dynamics simulations are employed to predict that a donor‐π‐acceptor (D‐π‐A) architectural framework can systematically modulate excited‐state properties to achieve optimal photophysical characteristics. Guided by these theoretical insights, a series of second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) emissive ionic photosensitizers featuring aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics is designed and synthesized. The optimized compound, BuDTTPy, exhibited exceptional performance, including a large Stokes shift (280 nm), distinct AIE behavior, strong NIR‐II fluorescence (Φ = 6.14%), and highly efficient ROS generation. Experimental results revealed that BuDTTPy nanoparticles (NPs) possess remarkable photostability, excellent biocompatibility, and dual‐targeting capability toward mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Leveraging these advantages, NIR‐II FLI‐guided dual‐organelle‐targeted PDT is successfully implemented, achieving potent therapeutic efficacy in an orthotopic breast cancer mouse model. This work not only experimentally validates theoretical predictions of superior photophysical properties in AIE materials, but also establishes a novel paradigm for developing organelle‐precision phototheranostic systems.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics · Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies · Luminescence Properties of Advanced Materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Center for AIE Research Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Energy Materials Service Safety College of Materials Science and Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China

College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China

School of Science and Engineering Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Aggregate Science Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology The Chinese University of Hong Kong(CUHK‐Shenzhen) Shenzhen Guangdong 518172 China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Science and Technology Foundation of Shenzhen City

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