Photoactivated nanomotors via aggregation induced emission for enhanced phototherapy

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22279-w
• Publication Date: 2021-04-06T10:02:48Z
• Authors: Shoupeng Cao; Jingxin Shao; Hanglong Wu; Shidong Song; Maria Teresa De M...; Imke A. B. Pijpers; Heiner Friedrich; Loai K. E. A. Abd...; David S. Williams; Jan C. M. van Hest
• Keywords: Nanomaterials; Rational design

Abstract Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) has, since its discovery, become a valuable tool in the field of nanoscience. AIEgenic molecules, which display highly stable fluorescence an assembled state, have applications various biomedical fields—including photodynamic therapy. Engineering structure-inherent, nanomaterials with motile properties is, however, still unexplored frontier evolution this potent technology. Here, we present phototactic/phototherapeutic nanomotors where biodegradable block copolymers decorated AIE motifs can transduce radiant energy into motion and enhance thermophoretic motility driven by asymmetric Au nanoshell. The hybrid harness two photon near-infrared radiation, triggering autonomous propulsion simultaneous phototherapeutic generation reactive oxygen species. potential these to be applied therapy is demonstrated vitro, light directed species induction synergistically efficacy high level spatial control.