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Decker Supramolecular Architecture-Derived Near-Infrared Luminescent Materials for Bioimaging Application
Zinuo Gao1, Junrong Lin2,3, Ge Yang1
1State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130012, China.
ACS Nano
|May 29, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a new design for near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging probes using steric hindrance to prevent aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ). The developed probes achieve high-contrast deep-tissue imaging by preserving NIR optical properties.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Imaging
Background:
- Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging probes are crucial for in vivo diagnostics.
- Fluorophore aggregation, specifically π-π stacking leading to aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), limits probe performance.
- Current strategies often fail to simultaneously inhibit ACQ and achieve spectral red shifts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient synthetic strategy for novel decker structures to overcome ACQ limitations in NIR imaging probes.
- To precisely control fluorophore arrangement and π-π stacking using steric hindrance.
- To guide the design of high-performance NIR imaging probes by elucidating structure-property relationships.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized three systems based on terpyridine ligands with varying contents of aza-boron-dipyrromethene (aza-BODIPY) and sterically hindered tetraphenylethylene (TPE) units.
- Investigated the effect of TPE content on fluorophore arrangement, π-π stacking, and ACQ suppression.
- Formulated nanoparticles (NPs) from the synthesized systems and evaluated their performance in deep-tissue NIR imaging.
Main Results:
- TPE-induced steric hindrance effectively modulated fluorophore arrangement and π-π stacking, leading to graded ACQ suppression.
- The system with 50% TPE content (S2) retained approximately 20% of the native brightness, significantly higher than S1 (9.3%) and BDP (negligible).
- Nanoparticles formulated from S2 achieved high-contrast deep-tissue NIR imaging with a signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of 5.6 at 1300 nm.
Conclusions:
- The proposed decker structure strategy effectively suppresses ACQ while preserving NIR optical properties.
- Tailoring TPE content provides a precise method for modulating fluorophore aggregation and imaging performance.
- This approach offers a valuable model for designing advanced NIR fluorescence imaging probes for deep-tissue applications.
