Constructing efficient and photostable photosensitizer with aggregation-induced emission by introducing highly electronegative nitrogen atom for photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has drawn considerable attention owning to many unique advantages, such as precise controllability, noninvasiveness, high efficiency and spatiotemporal selectivity. However, most of the currently utilized photosensitizers (PSs) have drawbacks of weak light absorption for excitation and low reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability. In this contribution, through introducing highly electronegative nitrogen atom, two photostable photosensitizers are designed to display high absorption coefficient and efficient ROS generation ability. The yield BTPTT-CNTPE nanoparticles show good performance of excellent photostability, high ROS generation efficiency, negligible dark toxicity and high absorption coefficient. Subsequent PDT experiments both in vitro and in vivo prove that BTPTT-CNTPE nanoparticles are promising candidates for PDT anticancer therapy.