Chaotropic Effect Stabilized Radical-Containing Supramolecular Organic Frameworks for Photothermal Therapy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Radical-containing frameworks (RCFs) combine ordered structures with organic radical properties.
• Organic radicals offer unique electronic and magnetic characteristics for advanced materials.
• Supramolecular chemistry enables the construction of complex architectures through self-assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first example of radical-containing supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs).
• To investigate the photochromic and radical-generating properties of these novel SOFs.
• To explore the potential of these SOFs as photothermal agents for antibacterial applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of SOFs via the chaotropic effect between closo-dodecaborate clusters (B12H122-) and 2,4,6-tri(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TPT3+).
• Synthesis through self-assembly in aqueous solution.
• Characterization using light irradiation, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction.

Main Results:

• SOFs were synthesized through facile self-assembly.
• Photochromic behavior observed upon 435 nm light irradiation, changing from yellow to dark purple.
• Stable radicals generated in situ after irradiation, confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.
• Maintained structural stability under light irradiation.
• Demonstrated efficient photothermal effect under 660 nm light irradiation.

Conclusions:

• Successfully constructed radical-containing SOFs using supramolecular self-assembly.
• These SOFs exhibit photochromism, in situ radical generation, and structural stability.
• The developed SOFs show promise as photothermal agents for antibacterial applications.
• Highlights potential applications in energy, catalysis, photoluminescence, and biomedical fields.