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Wu Y, Wang Y, Yu X, Song Q. Comprehensive Study of Artificial Light-Harvesting Systems with a Multi-Step Sequential Energy Transfer Mechanism. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2404269. [PMID: 38874326 PMCID: PMC11336932 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202404269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Artificial light-harvesting systems (LHSs) with a multi-step sequential energy transfer mechanism significantly enhance light energy utilization. Nonetheless, most of these systems exhibit an overall energy transfer efficiency below 80%. Moreover, due to challenges in molecularly aligning multiple donor/acceptor chromophores, systems featuring ≥3-step sequential energy transfer are rarely reported. Here, a series of artificial LHSs is introduced featuring up to 4-step energy transfer mechanism, constructed using a cyclic peptide-based supramolecular scaffold. These LHSs showed remarkably high energy transfer efficiencies (≥90%) and satisfactory fluorescence quantum yields (ranging from 17.6% to 58.4%). Furthermore, the structural robustness of the supramolecular scaffold enables a comprehensive study of these systems, elucidating the associated energy transfer pathways, and identifying additional energy transfer processes beyond the targeted sequential energy transfer. Overall, this comprehensive investigation not only enhances the understanding of these LHSs, but also underscores the versatility of cyclic peptide-based supramolecular scaffolds in advancing energy harvesting technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wu
- Shenzhen Grubbs InstituteSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhen518055China
| | - Yuqian Wang
- Shenzhen Grubbs InstituteSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhen518055China
| | - Xu Yu
- Institute of Innovation Materials and EnergyCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringYangzhou UniversityYangzhou225002China
| | - Qiao Song
- Shenzhen Grubbs InstituteSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhen518055China
- Guangming Advanced Research InstituteSouthern University of Science and TechnologyShenzhen518055China
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Lei Y, Wang Y, Hill SK, Cheng Z, Song Q, Perrier S. Supra-Fluorophores: Ultrabright Fluorescent Supramolecular Assemblies Derived from Conventional Fluorophores in Water. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2401346. [PMID: 38416605 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Fluorescent organic nanoparticles (NPs) with exceptional brightness hold significant promise for demanding fluorescence bioimaging applications. Although considerable efforts are invested in developing novel organic dyes with enhanced performance, augmenting the brightness of conventional fluorophores is still one of the biggest challenges to overcome. This study presents a supramolecular strategy for constructing ultrabright fluorescent nanoparticles in aqueous media (referred to as "Supra-fluorophores") derived from conventional fluorophores. To achieve this, this course has employed a cylindrical nanoparticle with a hydrophobic microdomain, assembled by a cyclic peptide-diblock copolymer conjugate in water, as a supramolecular scaffold. The noncovalent dispersion of fluorophore moieties within the hydrophobic microdomain of the scaffold effectively mitigates the undesired aggregation-caused quenching and fluorescence quenching by water, resulting in fluorescent NPs with high brightness. This strategy is applicable to a broad spectrum of fluorophore families, covering polyaromatic hydrocarbons, coumarins, boron-dipyrromethenes, cyanines, xanthenes, and squaraines. The resulting fluorescent NPs demonstrate high fluorescence quantum yield (>30%) and brightness per volume (as high as 12 060 m-1 cm-1 nm-3). Moreover, high-performance NPs with emission in the NIR region are constructed, showcasing up to 20-fold increase in both brightness and photostability. This Supra-fluorophore strategy offers a versatile and effective method for transforming existing fluorophores into ultrabright fluorescent NPs in aqueous environments, for applications such as bioimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Lei
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yuqian Wang
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Sophie K Hill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Zihe Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Qiao Song
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Sébastien Perrier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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Lu H, Wang Y, Hill SK, Jiang H, Ke Y, Huang S, Zheng D, Perrier S, Song Q. Supra-Cyanines: Ultrabright Cyanine-Based Fluorescent Supramolecular Materials in Solution and in the Solid State. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202311224. [PMID: 37840434 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202311224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent materials with high brightness play a crucial role in the advancement of various technologies such as bioimaging, photonics, and OLEDs. While significant efforts are dedicated to designing new organic dyes with improved performance, enhancing the brightness of existing dyes holds equal importance. In this study, we present a simple supramolecular strategy to develop ultrabright cyanine-based fluorescent materials by addressing long-standing challenges associated with cyanine dyes, including undesired cis-trans photoisomerization and aggregation-caused quenching. Supra-cyanines are obtained by incorporating cyanine moieties in a cyclic peptide-based supramolecular scaffold, and exhibit high fluorescence quantum yields (up to 50 %) in both solution and in the solid state. These findings offer a versatile approach for constructing highly emissive cyanine-based supramolecular materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haicheng Lu
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yuqian Wang
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Sophie K Hill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Hanqiu Jiang
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100049, China
- Spallation Neutron Source Science Center, Dongguan, 523803, China
| | - Yubin Ke
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100049, China
- Spallation Neutron Source Science Center, Dongguan, 523803, China
| | - Shaohui Huang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101499, China
| | - Dunjin Zheng
- LightEdge Technologies Limited, Zhongshan, 528451, China
| | - Sébastien Perrier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Qiao Song
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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Wu C, Zhang H, Kong N, Wu B, Lin X, Wang H. Dynamic Control of Cyclic Peptide Assembly to Form Higher-Order Assemblies. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202303455. [PMID: 37409642 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202303455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Chirality correction, asymmetry, ring-chain tautomerism and hierarchical assemblies are fundamental phenomena in nature. They are geometrically related and may impact the biological roles of a protein or other supermolecules. It is challenging to study those behaviors within an artificial system due to the complexity of displaying these features. Herein, we design an alternating D,L peptide to recreate and validate the naturally occurring chirality inversion prior to cyclization in water. The resulting asymmetrical cyclic peptide containing a 4-imidazolidinone ring provides an excellent platform to study the ring-chain tautomerism, thermostability and dynamic assembly of the nanostructures. Different from traditional cyclic D,L peptides, the formation of 4-imidazolidinone promotes the formation of intertwined nanostructures. Analysis of the nanostructures confirmed the left-handedness, representing chirality induced self-assembly. This proves that a rationally designed peptide can mimic multiple natural phenomena and could promote the development of functional biomaterials, catalysts, antibiotics, and supermolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongyang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, No. 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hongyue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, No. 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Nan Kong
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, No. 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Bihan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, No. 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xinhui Lin
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, No. 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Huaimin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Precise Synthesis of Functional Molecules of Zhejiang Province, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Westlake University, Institute of Natural Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, No. 600 Dunyu Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang, China
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Song Q, Zhang J, Yu X, Cheng Z, Yang J, Hall SCL, Perrier S. Tailoring the luminescence of FRET systems built using supramolecular polymeric nanotubes. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00557c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Supramolecular polymeric nanotubes self-assembled from cyclic peptide–polymer conjugates are employed as general scaffolds to fabricate supramolecular FRET systems with tailorable and responsive luminescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Song
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Jingyu Zhang
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zihe Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- College of Science, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | | | - Sébastien Perrier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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