An AIE singlet oxygen generation system based on supramolecular strategy

Abstract

The design of supramolecular systems with efficient singlet oxygen generation has attracted considerable interests. Herein, an AIE-based singlet oxygen generation system with chemiluminescence properties is reported in aqueous media based on supramolecular host‒guest assembly between a water-soluble pillar[5]arene (WP5) and an AIE photosensitizer (TPEDM). The formed supramolecular nanoparticles exhibit significant singlet oxygen generation ability as well as enhanced fluorescence. In addition, by introducing catalase, this H2O2-responsive supramolecular system shows increased 1O2 generation efficiency compared with the blank nanoparticles. An efficient chemiluminescence system can also be achieved by entrapping an energy donor adamantane derivative (AMPPD). Moreover, the present system can function as nanoreactors to perform the photooxidation of dopamine to form polydopamine with visible light irradiation. This work provides a new strategy for the construction of 1O2 generation system based on supramolecular nanomaterials, which has potential applications in the fields such as chemiluminescence imaging and controlled photocatalysis.