Cited by 464Luminescence and Fluorescent MaterialsMolecular Sensors and Ion DetectionOptical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques

Design of AIEgens for near-infrared IIb imaging through structural modulation at molecular and morphological levels

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Li, Yuanyuan, Cai, Zhaochong, Liu, Shunjie, Zhang, Haoke, Wong, Sherman T. H., Lam, Jacky W. Y., Kwok, Ryan T. K., Qian, Jun +1 more·2020·Nature Communications

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Fluorescence imaging in near-infrared IIb (NIR-IIb, 1500–1700 nm) spectrum holds a great promise for tissue imaging. While few inorganic NIR-IIb fluorescent probes have been reported, their organic counterparts are still rarely developed, possibly due to the shortage of efficient materials with long emission wavelength. Herein, we propose a molecular design philosophy to explore pure organic NIR-IIb fluorophores by manipulation of the effects of twisted intramolecular charge transfer and aggregation-induced emission at the molecular and morphological levels. An organic fluorescent dye emitting up to 1600 nm with a quantum yield of 11.5% in the NIR-II region is developed. NIR-IIb fluorescence imaging of blood vessels and deeply-located intestinal tract of live mice based on organic dyes is achieved with high clarity and enhanced signal-to-background ratio. We hope this study will inspire further development on the evolution of pure organic NIR-IIb dyes for bio-imaging.

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  • When there is a space for rotational motion of the molecule in a solid state, in some cases, a bright red-shifted fluorescence from a TICT state of the molecule was observed in a solid state.

    “When there is a space for rotational motion of the molecule in a solid state, in some cases, a bright red-shifted fluorescence from a TICT state of the molecule was observed in a solid state.151”

    From The Pursuit of Shortwave Infrared-Emitting Nanoparticles with Bright Fluorescence through Molecular Design and Excited-State Engineering of Molecular Aggregates (2022) · cites this paper as [151]

    The Results (Photophysical properties; page unavailable) report strong, long-wavelength fluorescence from aggregates that retain TICT properties, with molecular mobility contributing to the effect. The study examines aggregates and dispersed nanoparticles, however, rather than establishing the claimed observation in a solid-state sample. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Li, Y., Cai, Z., Liu, S., Zhang, H., Wong, S. T. H., Lam, J. W. Y., Kwok, R. T. K., Qian, J., & Tang, B. Z.
Affiliations
  • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HK)
  • State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instruments (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Qian, Jun
  • Tang, Ben Zhong
Venue
Nature Communications
Published
2020-03-09
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
1255-1255
ISSN
2041-1723 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3010486890
Cited by
464
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 41 · 2025: 67 · 2024: 74 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 87 · 2021: 88 · 2020: 47
FWCI
27.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Communications (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • ChemRxiv (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Rare & Special e-Zone (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Natural Science Foundation of China (21788102, 21805002, 61735016 and 61975172)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Spectroscopy › Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
Keywords
aggregation-induced emission, twisted intramolecular charge transfer, organic fluorescent dyes, molecular design, structural modulation, vascular imaging, deep tissue imaging, quantum yield
MeSH terms
Animals, Fluorescence, Fluorescent Dyes, Infrared Rays, Materials Testing, Models, Molecular, Biomedical Technology, Models, Animal, Mice, Nanoparticles, Optical Imaging

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