Polymerization boosting cascade energy transfer based on opened glucopyranosyl β-cyclodextrin

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Chitosan exhibits clustering-triggered emission (CTE) with potential for fluorescent applications.
• Cyclodextrins are versatile host molecules for supramolecular assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate an injectable polysaccharide supramolecular hydrogel.
• To investigate its utility in energy transfer and cell imaging.

Main Methods:

• Opened D-glucopyranosyl β-cyclodextrin with four aldehyde groups (ACD) was cross-linked with chitosan (CS).
• The hydrogel was co-assembled with a triphenylamine derivative (TPA) and encapsulated with Cyanine 5 (Cy5) or Nile blue (NiB).
• Supramolecular cascade energy transfer was studied.

Main Results:

• The ACD-CS hydrogel exhibited efficient CTE with a high quantum yield of 32.25%.
• Successful supramolecular cascade energy transfer was achieved, leading to fluorescence emission at 673 nm or 680 nm.
• The hydrogel demonstrated potential for cell imaging.

Conclusions:

• An injectable polysaccharide supramolecular hydrogel was successfully fabricated.
• The hydrogel facilitates efficient energy transfer and exhibits promising cell imaging capabilities.