Perylene Diimide Oligomer Nanoparticles with Ultrahigh Photothermal Conversion Efficiency for Cancer Theranostics
Qiuyu Gong, Jie Xing, Yinjuan Huang, Aiguo Wu, Jing Yu, Qichun Zhang
Abstract
Developing one agent that has reasonable stability and ultrahigh photothermal conversion efficiency (PTCE) for near-infrared (NIR) photothermal cancer treatment remains a great challenge, but is highly desirable. In this research, we developed a perylene diimide (PDI)-based oligomer ( OPDI ) through coupling monomeric PDI derivatives together. OPDI exhibited slightly red-shifted absorption at NIR region compared with monomeric PDI. More importantly, the self-assembled OPDI nanoparticles not only exhibited high stability and preferable biocompatibility, but also possessed an ultrahigh PTCE (up to 79.8%, higher than many other photothermal agents reported before). This OPDI photothermal agent has been demonstrated to exhibit excellent therapeutic effects. Our research provides a guide for the exploitation of photothermal agents with ultrahigh PTCE.