Enhancing biological imaging with high-performance probes based on thermally activated delayed fluorescence

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials have gained significant attention in biological imaging due to their high quantum efficiency and capacity to suppress short-lived background fluorescence. This review comprehensively analyzes recent advancements in organic TADF probes, focusing on their photophysical mechanisms, structural design, and encapsulation strategies to improve biocompatibility and photostability. We highlight their applications in organelle-targeted imaging, dynamic live-cell tracking, and in vivo imaging in model organisms such as zebrafish and mice. Additionally, we discuss current challenges, including oxygen sensitivity and limited long-term stability. The development of high-performance TADF probes promises to enhance imaging quality, facilitate deeper tissue penetration, and support long-term cellular studies, thereby contributing substantially to biomedical research and diagnostic imaging.