Li Yang, Huang Zizhao, Shao Aixing, Wu Zhiqin, He Zhenyi, Tian He, Ma Xiang
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China
School of Chemical Engineering & Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Wuhan Institute of Technology Wuhan 430205 China.
Chem Sci. 2025 Mar 3;16(15):6290-6297. doi: 10.1039/d4sc08330j. eCollection 2025 Apr 9.
Materials exhibiting up-conversion room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) with multi-emissive properties in aqueous solutions hold significant potential for optical imaging and sensing applications. However, achieving such photophysical materials within a molecular emitter remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report a series of single-molecule chromophores demonstrating aqueous tunable up-conversion RTP and fluorescence dual emission. The RTP and fluorescence emission could be finely adjusted by manipulating the excitation wavelength within the visible and near-infrared range, enabling dynamic color modulation across the entire visible spectrum from blue to orange-red. Furthermore, we utilized the up-conversion RTP capability of a single-molecular emitter to achieve two-photon and time-resolved imaging. More importantly, through ratiometric regulation of phosphorescence by temperature combined with stable fluorescence as an internal reference, the RTP molecule enabled reliable temperature sensing in living cells. This study unveils a highly efficient strategy for fabricating intelligent organic RTP materials and sensors featuring dynamically controlled multi-emission.
在水溶液中具有多发射特性的上转换室温磷光（RTP）材料在光学成像和传感应用中具有巨大潜力。然而，在分子发射体中实现这种光物理材料仍然是一项艰巨的挑战。在此，我们报道了一系列单分子发色团，它们展示了在水中可调谐的上转换RTP和荧光双发射。通过在可见光和近红外范围内操纵激发波长，可以精细地调节RTP和荧光发射，从而实现从蓝色到橙红色的整个可见光谱的动态颜色调制。此外，我们利用单分子发射体的上转换RTP能力实现了双光子和时间分辨成像。更重要的是，通过温度对磷光的比率调节并结合稳定的荧光作为内部参考，该RTP分子能够在活细胞中进行可靠的温度传感。这项研究揭示了一种高效的策略，用于制造具有动态控制多发射特性的智能有机RTP材料和传感器。
