Aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) exhibit efficient cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capability and unique light-up features in the aggregated state, which have been well explored in image-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the limited penetration depth of light in tissue severely hinders AIEgens as a candidate for primary or adjunctive therapy for clinical applications. Coincidentally, microwaves (MWs) show a distinct advantage for deeper penetration depth in tissues than light. Herein, for the first time, we report AIEgen-mediated microwave dynamic therapy (MWDT) for cancer treatment. We found that two AIEgens ( TPEPy-I and TPEPy-PF6 ) served as a new type of microwave (MW) sensitizers to produce ROS, including singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ), resulting in efficient destructions of cancer cells. The results of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and live/dead assays reveal that the two AIEgens when activated by MW irradiation can effectively kill cancer cells with average IC-50 values of 2.73 and 3.22 μM, respectively. Overall, the ability of the two AIEgens to be activated by MW not only overcomes the limitations of conventional PDT, but also helps to improve existing MW ablation therapy by reducing the MW dose required to achieve the same therapeutic outcome, thus reducing the occurrence of side-effects of MW radiation.

Single-crystal silver dendrite structures, which possess a high surface area along with narrow gaps and sharp edges, have been widely explored as surface enhanced Raman scattering substrates and for catalytic and biosensing applications. With one of the simplest galvanic reactions, the reaction of AgNO3 with Cu, Ag dendrites can easily be produced. Here, we report new findings about this reaction and dendrite growth mechanisms. A series of experiments revealed a much more complicated reaction mechanism: metal Ag could form through reduction of Ag+ by intermediate nitrite (NO2 –) ions inside the solution on a surface away from Cu. It was also found that Ag dendrites developed through a particle-mediated growth process. This new reaction mechanism can be utilized to generate completely freestanding, pure, and clean single-crystal Ag dendrites at room temperature within a few minutes.