Optically-manipulated multiaddressable all-ESIPT fluorescence nanomicelles prepared using a single fluorophore

Abstract

The development of photoswitchable fluorescence nanomaterials which can exhibit excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) emission in all fluorescent states has been long-awaited in the bioimaging field, as they can more efficiently avoid self-reabsorption and excitation backscattering effects. However, successful examples of this kind of nanomaterial are very rare. Herein, we report a facile strategy for regionalized in situ hydrolysis to achieve optically-manipulated all-ESIPT fluorescent nanomicelles with a new photoswitchable near-infrared ESIPT fluorophore. This method could “directly” and efficiently regulate ESIPT fluorescence switching via photoisomerization and generate another ESIPT fluorophore in situ during the preparation of the nanosystem. This work may promote the development of high-performance dual/multi-ESIPT fluorescent nanomaterials and their applications in biological imaging.