Construction of balanced-transition AIE phototherapeutic agents based on a fluorination strategy for prolonged triplet excited state lifetime†

To solve the competitive energy decay pathways in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), herein, we proposed a fluorination strategy of AIE photosensitizers, which exhibited high ROS generation and heat release. Innovatively, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy has emerged to verify the extension of triplet excited state lifetime induced by C–F bonds. In order to improve its hydrophilicity and targeting ability, GSH-responsive nanogel HPCF was constructed, which presented controllable release of TPAF. In vivo experiments proved that HPCF-mediated PDT/PTT successfully downregulates heat shock proteins by reactive oxygen species and achieved synergetic phototherapy potential.