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Supramolecular Photosensitizers: From Engineering Principles to Functional Applications.

Lingfeng Fan^1,2, Qiao Song¹

¹Institute of Materials Research, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China.

Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|June 23, 2026

Summary

Supramolecular chemistry engineers organic photosensitizers (PSs) to enhance properties like ROS generation and photostability. This review highlights advanced supramolecular PSs for diverse photochemical and biomedical applications.

Keywords:

excited‐state regulation noncovalent interactions photodynamic therapy reactive oxygen species supramolecular photosensitizers

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Area of Science:

Supramolecular Chemistry
Photochemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Organic photosensitizers (PSs) generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon light exposure.
Their performance depends on excited-state properties, driving molecular design efforts.
Supramolecular chemistry offers a novel approach to regulate PS excited states.

Purpose of the Study:

To review supramolecular engineering strategies for developing advanced photosensitizers.
To explore how supramolecular assembly enhances PS properties and functionalities.
To overview applications of supramolecular PSs in photochemical and biomedical fields.

Main Methods:

Summarizing recent supramolecular engineering strategies for PSs.
Analyzing improvements in solubility, biocompatibility, ROS generation, and photostability.
Investigating advanced functionalities like stimuli-responsive activation and assembly-induced activity.

Main Results:

Supramolecular engineering enhances key PS properties and introduces novel functionalities.
Strategies enable stimuli-responsive activation and assembly-induced photosensitizing activity.
Supramolecular PSs offer unique advantages over small-molecule counterparts in applications.

Conclusions:

Supramolecular chemistry provides a versatile platform for advanced PS design.
Supramolecular PSs show significant potential in diverse photochemical and biomedical applications.
This review inspires future innovations in supramolecular photochemistry and photomedicine.