Conjugated-Polymer-Based Nanoparticles with Efficient NIR-II Fluorescent, Photoacoustic and Photothermal Performance.

Fluorescence imaging (FI) and photoacoustic imaging (PA) play important roles in the real-time assessment of cell-based therapies. However, the limitations of conventional organic fluorescence contrast agents and the narrow range of the emission wavelength in the first near-infrared (NIR-I) window (750-900 nm) hamper applications of fluorescence imaging in living subjects. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a short-wave infrared FI contrast agent and PA contrast agent based on a conjugated polymer-poly{2,5-bis[(5-thiophen-2-yl)methylene]-3,6-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-2,5-dihydropyrazine}-and its use to construct multifunctional nanoparticles to simplify photothermal therapy.