Zwitterionic Photosensitizer‐Assembled Nanocluster Produces Efficient Photogenerated Radicals via Autoionization for Superior Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) holds significant promise for antibacterial treatment, with its potential markedly amplified when using Type I photosensitizers (PSs). However, developing Type I PSs remains a significant challenge due to a lack of reliable design strategy. Herein, a Type I PS nanocluster is developed via self‐assembly of zwitterionic small molecule (C3TH) for superior antibacterial PDT in vivo. Mechanism studies demonstrate that unique cross‐arranged C3TH within nanocluster not only shortens intermolecular distance but also inhibits intermolecular electronic‐vibrational coupling, thus facilitating intermolecular photoinduced electron transfer to form PS radical cation and anion via…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 62175201, U24A2077, 62288102
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities