Synthesis of N-substituted phenothiazine styrene monomers for amphiphilic fluorescence nanoparticles: structure-fluorescence relationship, from AIE to ACQ effect and drugs delivery systems.

Spatiotemporal organelle delivery and activation of type I AIE photosensitizers and siRNA for near-infrared fluorescence image-guided immunotherapy.

Wound healing is a complex biological process that, when disrupted, can result in chronic wounds and substantial healthcare burdens. Materials that enhance wound repair while enabling real-time monitoring represent a significant advancement in wound management. In this study, we report a series of fluorescent quinoline-malononitrile (QM) derivatives with aggregate-induced emission (AIE) properties and evaluate their therapeutic potential in dermal and epidermal cell models. Cytotoxicity assays revealed selective proliferative and anti-proliferative effects across different QM analogues. Notably, QOne (1) and MeQM (4) promoted keratinocyte proliferation, a critical step in re-epithelialisation. In a 3D in vitro wound model, both compounds significantly enhanced wound repair, accelerating the regeneration of the stratified epidermis and dermal matrix compared to untreated controls. Their intrinsic fluorescence also enabled real-time tracking of compound localisation during healing in a 3D in vitro wound model. These findings highlighted AIE-active molecules such as QOne (1) and MeQM (4) as promising dual-function agents for therapeutic intervention and fluorescence-guided wound monitoring.

A tetraphenylethylene-based AIE-active supramolecular chemosensor for ultrasensitive detection of Fe3+, Cu2+ and CN.

Donor–acceptor dicyanoethylene derivative constructed by pyrene and tetraphenylethene demonstrating obvious aggregation-induced emission and high-contrast mechanofluorochromism with mechanical force-induced luminescent enhancement

Tunable aggregation-induced emission in π-extended Aroylthiophene–Carbazole emitters

Phenylboronic acid-modified magnetic beads combined with DNA-anchored near-infrared AIEgen-based ultrasensitive signal tags for Argonaute-based biosensing.

Covalent organic framework with second near-infrared aggregation-induced emission for boosted tumor multimodal phototheranostics.

A multifunctional organic crystal synergizing aggregation-induced emission and ferroelectric switching

By regulating reaction conditions to manipulate the twisting angle or conformational changes of the molecular rotor modules in triangular-shaped aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) can induce the formation of lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (<strong>Ln-MOFs</strong>) with 3,8-c, 3²,8-c, and 3³,11-c connected network structures, significantly enriching the 3-c connected network family. This work, to our knowledge, is the first to reveal that alterations in the twist angles of molecular rotor modules in triangular-shaped AIEgens can lead to a serial expansion of the family of topological networks based on 3-c connections. Surprisingly, both <strong>Eu-MOF</strong> and <strong>Tb-MOF</strong> display linear temperature responses with varying sensitivities in the high and low temperature regions, respectively, facilitating the construction of a dual-region ratiometric fluorescence thermometer. What is more noteworthy is that <strong>Tb-MOF</strong> can be easily and efficiently fabricated into thin films, maintaining stable and bright yellow-green luminescence even after multiple foldings, which demonstrates its excellent mechanical flexibility and processability potential. This study not only charts a new course for expanding the topological network structure of <strong>Ln-MOFs</strong> through dynamic AIEgens but also broadens the horizons for the optical applications of multifunctional <strong>Ln-MOFs</strong> emitters.

Zirconium-Triggered Aggregation-Induced Emission of Copper Nanoclusters for the Sensitive Fluorescent Detection of Acid Phosphatase.

Alkyl-chain engineering of berberine-based amphiphilic AIE photosensitizers for dual-model antifungal phototherapy.

Abstract The development of efficient photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) remains a significant challenge due to the limitations of aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) in commonly used chromophores. Here, we present the design and synthesis of a tetraphenylethene-porphyrin hetero-faced molecular cage (1•8Clˉ), where tetraphenylethene (TPE) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties is covalently linked to porphyrin, which exhibits good photosensitivity but suffers from ACQ effects. The hetero-faced molecular cage is designed with a face-to-face configuration, facilitated by four p-xylylene linkers, ensuring precise spatial alignment of the TPE and porphyrin units. This cage-type molecular architecture not only enables the conversion of ACQ to AIE, but also populates the triplet state of porphyrin via efficient intramolecular energy and electron transfer owing to the favorable geometry. As a result, 1•8Clˉ demonstrates excellent ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and binds nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) in aqueous solution, catalyzing the rapid photocatalytic oxidation of NADH to its oxide form (NAD+). Utilizing ROS generation and the disruption of the intracellular redox balance of NADH, 1•8Clˉ exhibits significant potential for effective photocatalysis-assisted PDT in hypoxic tumor environments. This study opens a new pathway for molecular design by combining molecular cage structures with photosensitizer functionality, enabling applications in fields like photocatalysis and photodynamic therapy.

Conventional fluorescence microscopy is frequently constrained by wash-required labeling protocols. The mandatory removal of unbound probes complicates experimental workflows, perturbs fragile biological environments, and can eliminate weak or transient probe-target interactions. In addition, washing introduces time delays that obscure fast biological dynamics. Wash-free bioimaging has emerged as a powerful alternative, relying on fluorogenic probes that transition from a non-emissive to an emissive state upon target engagement. By eliminating washing steps, these strategies simplify operation, enhance contrast, preserve native biological environments, and enable sustained imaging through continuous exchange between bound and unbound fluorophores. This review establishes a mechanistic framework for the rational design of these wash-free imaging agents. We classify the dominant activation pathways as energy-transfer mechanisms, electron or charge-transfer processes, internal conversion to a dark state, structural isomerization (exemplified by spirocyclization in rhodamine scaffolds), and hydrogen-bond-induced quenching. Beyond these classical modes, we discuss phase-dependent effects such as aggregation-induced emission and disaggregation-induced emission, and highlight emerging paradigms, including in situ fluorophore formation, twisted intramolecular charge shuttle, and conical intersections. By linking photophysical mechanisms to molecular design principles and imaging performance, this review aims to guide the development of next-generation fluorogenic probes for high-contrast, real-time, and sustained imaging across molecular, cellular, and organismal scales.

Tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivatives are key building blocks for solid-state fluorophores, offering tunable emission wavelengths and high quantum efficiencies. While it is nowadays well established, especially in recent literature, that rotation around the central CC bond dominates deactivation in solution and that its restriction in solid state results in aggregation-induced emission (AIE), the impact of substitution on TPE dynamics in solution remains largely unexplored. This is likely due to the challenge of efficiently separating E and Z isomers in most synthesized molecules. Here, we report the solution-phase photophysics of stereopure, extended TPE derivatives using both steady-state and femtosecond transient spectroscopies. Introducing triphenylamine (TPA) substituents generates distinct spectral differences between E and Z isomers, enabling modulation of the photostationary state and selective control of the isomeric equilibrium via irradiation wavelength. Notably, this photochromism is accompanied by a pronounced decrease in the photoisomerization quantum yield (Φiso) relative to non-extended TPEs, consistent with the "amino conjugation effect" previously observed in stilbene derivatives. Time-resolved spectroscopies provide mechanistic insight, revealing the substituent's influence on emissive and dark state lifetimes, as well as access to a conical intersection through rotation around the ethylenic bond, supported by TD-DFT calculations. These findings offer a new understanding of electron-donor substituted TPEs and their potential as tunable photochromic materials.

The preparation of multicolor organic room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials with flexibility and second-scale phosphorescence lifetime is highly attractive yet remains extremely challenging. Here, we synthesize a series of carbazole-functionalized polyacrylamide copolymers P(AM-co-VBC) by free radical copolymerization, which can show up to 20 s of a bright blue afterglow accompanied by 3.720 s of the RTP lifetime. After water-dissolution and drying treatments, the bright blue afterglow of W-P(AM-co-VBC) visible to the naked eye is extended to 43 s, while the longest RTP lifetime increases to 4.664 s due to the self-assembly of carbazole group aggregates inducing an aggregation-induced emission enhancement effect. Using W-P(AM-co-VBC) as an energy donor and commercially available fluorescent dyes as energy acceptors, multicolor RTP materials are facilely prepared through a phosphorescence Förster resonance energy transfer strategy. Notably, flexible multicolor RTP films with high transparency and long RTP lifetime are conveniently fabricated over large areas by doping the multicolor RTP materials into sodium alginate matrices with trace amounts of poly(vinyl alcohol) as a regulator. Furthermore, the prepared multicolor ultralong RTP materials demonstrate significant potential for advanced applications in the fields of information encryption and flexible display.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, and treatment options for advanced disease are still inadequate. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a minimally invasive alternative by generating cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon photosensitizer activation, yet its efficacy is limited by the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. We developed a novel near-infrared II (NIR-II) aggregation-induced emission (AIE) photosensitizer, DB-PTZ, by combining the electron donor phenothiazine with the electron acceptor malononitrile and introducing conjugated peripheral groups to enhance electron delocalization. DB-PTZ nanoparticles, prepared via 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-2000 (DSPE-PEG2000) encapsulation, exhibited uniform size (∼45 nm), negative surface charge (∼35.82 mV), high photothermal conversion efficiency (∼49%), robust stability, minimal hemolysis (<4% at 25 μg/mL), and efficient, time-dependent cellular uptake with lysosomal escape. Under 808 nm laser irradiation (0.8 W·cm-2), DB-PTZ significantly increased intracellular ROS, induced apoptosis (44.74%), and inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. In vivo, DB-PTZ selectively accumulated in tumors, providing potent growth suppression without measurable systemic toxicity. These results establish DB-PTZ as a hypoxia-tolerant NIR-II AIE photosensitizer with dual photothermal-photodynamic activity, offering a promising platform for precise, image-guided theranostics in HCC.

As an emerging class of inorganic-organic hybrid scintillators, copper iodide clusters have garnered significant research interest owing to their numerous advantages, including structural diversity, high X-ray absorption capacity, superior X-ray excited luminescence (XEL) performance, and low toxicity. However, their practical applications are hindered by insufficient stability, particularly low radiation hardness. Constructing a framework material by connecting copper iodide clusters with bridging ligand has been demonstrated as an effective approach to enhance the stability, while improving the radiation hardness of the copper iodide cluster frameworks remains a challenge. In this study, a non-conjugated bridging macrocyclic AIE ligand was introduced to the copper iodide cluster framework scintillator. The obtained framework exhibits good X-ray excited luminescence and successfully used for high-performance X-ray imaging. The non-conjugated bridging structure of ligand endows the copper iodine cluster framework with excellent radiation hardness, providing a new strategy for the construction of high-performance scintillator.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel multi-layer three-dimensional (3D) chiral polymer, strategically constructed from boron pinacol ester (Bpin)-based building blocks. The intricate 3D architecture endows the polymer with distinct aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics, attributed to restricted intramolecular rotation. Capitalizing on its AIE activity and unique internal coordination environment, this polymer functions as a highly effective dual-channel fluorescent probe. It demonstrates selective and sensitive detection of environmentally toxic ions, specifically barium (Ba2+) and hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), through distinct fluorescence responses. This work demonstrates the proof-of-concept potential of tailored 3D chiral polymers as dual-channel fluorescent sensors in simplified and filtered natural water matrices, while identifying matrix interference as a key challenge for real-world deployment.

Super-resolution three-dimensional optical storage has emerged as a promising approach to achieve petabit-level capacity on a DVD-sized disk. Doping photoresists (PR) with aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) provides a multifunctional medium for super-resolution writing and reading. However, achieving high nanoscale fluorescence contrast (ON/OFF ratio) remains a key obstacle to improving recording capacity, readout accuracy, and speed. Here, we introduce a Zn2+-doping approach for optically stimulated AIE that significantly enhances fluorescence contrast. By enhancing the photopolymerization degree to further restrict intramolecular motions of AIEgens, a 1.5-fold contrast improvement was achieved. Consequently, the photosensitivity was boosted, enabling a 33% reduction in the required writing laser power without compromising signal intensity. Our work establishes a practical route toward energy-efficient, reliable optical storage, supporting long-term, low-carbon preservation of massive data.