Compared with short-lived emission
probes featuring fluorescence
imaging , the use of phosphorescent probes imparts the advantage of
long-lived signal persistence that distinguishes against background
fluorescence interference. However, the realization of ultralong organic
phosphorescent (UOP) probes with an ultralong emission lifetime in
an aqueous medium is still a challenge. Here, we present a rational
strategy for obtaining UOP nanoparticles (NPs) in an air-saturated
aqueous medium prepared using an organic phosphor (PDBCz) and a surfactant
polymer (PVP), named PDBCz@PVP, showing an ultralong emission lifetime
of 284.59 ms and a phosphorescence quantum efficiency of 7.6%. The
excellent phosphorescence properties and water solubility of PDBCz@PVP
make it a promising candidate for biological imaging. The as-prepared
PDBCz@PVP NPs possess excellent luminescence intensity as well as
illustrious biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate
their use as an efficient phosphorescent nanoprobe both in living
cells and zebrafish by capturing their afterglow emission signals
under microscopy observation for the first time, realizing convenient
and fast bioimaging with low cost, which allows for anti-fluorescence
interference and shows promise for the future theragnostic applications
in nanomedicine.