A robust and cost-efficient strategy for large-scale synthesis of carbon dots (C-dots) allowing structural control was developed by microwave-assisted selective carbonization of surfactants. In this strategy, surfactants serving as carbon...

To disclose the effect of architecture over fluorescence behaviors of polymers, linear and hyperbranched poly(4-(cyanomethyl)phenyl methacrylate)s (PCPMAs) were synthesized by using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Compared to linear PCPMAs with weakly AIE (AIE: aggregation-induced-emission) characteristics and small-molecule analogues of 4-(cyanomethyl)phenyl isobutyrate (CPB) with ACQ (ACQ: aggregation-caused-quenching) behaviors, hyperbranched PCPMA showed dramatically stronger fluorescence at both solution and solid states and more significant AIE characteristics, which were further enhanced by increasing the branching degree, indicating a significant hyperbranching-enhanced-emission effect (HEE). The HEE effect was attributed to the strong promotion of hyperbranched architecture over the formation of a nitrile group cluster with through-space conjugation (TSC). The HEE effect provided a promising methodology to construct efficient nontraditional fluorescent polymers without large-conjugated, rigid, and planar emitter groups.

A glucose-conjugated fluorescent probe was synthesized, showing similar uptake behaviour to d-glucose, located in mitochondria, and was successfully employed for tumor targeting.

A facile and efficient approach for design and synthesis of organic fluorescent nanogels has been developed by using a pre-synthesized polymeric precursor. This strategy is achieved by two key steps: (i) precise synthesis of core–shell star-shaped block copolymers with crosslinkable AIEgen-precursor (AIEgen: aggregation induced emission luminogen) as pending groups on the inner blocks; (ii) gelation of the inner blocks by coupling the AIEgen-precursor moieties to generate AIE-active spacers, and thus, fluorescent nanogel. By using this strategy, a series of star-shaped block copolymers with benzophenone groups pending on the inner blocks were synthesized by grafting from a hexafunctional initiator through atom transfer radical copolymerization (ATRP) of 4-benzoylphenyl methacrylate (BPMA) or 2-(4-benzoylphenoxy)ethyl methacrylate (BPOEMA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and tert -butyldimethylsilyl-protected 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (ProHEMA) followed by a sequential ATRP to grow PMMA or PProHEMA. The pendent benzophenone groups were coupled by McMurry reaction to generate tetraphenylethylene (TPE) groups which served as AIE-active spacers, affording a fluorescent nanogel. The nanogel showed strong emission not only at aggregated state but also in dilute solution due to the strongly restricted inter- and intramolecular movement of TPE moiety in the crosslinked polymeric network. The nanogel has been used as a fluorescent macromolecular additive to fabricate fluorescent film.

Phototheranostic agents have thrived as prominent tools for tumor luminescence imaging and therapies. Herein, a series of organic photosensitizers (PSs) with donor‐acceptors (D‐A) are elaborately designed and synthesized. In particular, PPR‐2CN exhibits stable near infrared‐I (NIR‐I) emission, excellent free radicals generation and phototoxicity. Experimental analysis and calculations imply that a small singlet‐triplet energy gap (ΔES1−T1) and large spin‐orbit coupling (SOC) constant boost the intersystem crossing (ISC), leading to type‐I photodynamic therapy (PDT). Additionally, the specific glutamate (Glu) and glutathione (GSH) consumption abilities of PPR‐2CN inhibit the intracellular biosynthesis of GSH, resulting in redox dyshomeostasis and GSH‐depletion causing ferroptosis. This work first realizes that single component organic PS could be simultaneously used as a type‐I photodynamic agent and metal‐free ferroptosis inducer for NIR‐I imaging‐guided multimodal synergistic therapy.