A two-in-one Janus NIR-II AIEgen with balanced absorption and emission for image-guided precision surgery

Fluorescence imaging in the near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1000–1700 nm) region opens up new avenues for biological systems due to suppressed scattering and low autofluorescence at longer-wavelength photons. Nonetheless, development of organic NIR-II fluorophores is still limited mainly shortage efficient molecular design strategy. Herein, we propose an approach designing Janus by introducing electronic donors with distinct properties into one molecule. As a proof-of-concept, fluorescent dye 2 TT-m, oC6B both twisted planar displayed balanced absorption emission which were absent its parent compound. The key strategy molecule that it combines merits intense from architecture high fluorescence quantum yield motif. resulting nanoparticles exhibit molar absorptivity 1.12 ?104 M?1 cm?1 808 nm 3.7%, displaying typical aggregation-induced (AIE) attribute. highly bright stable assured image-guided cancer surgery resect submillimeter tumor nodules. present study may inspire further philosophy biomedical applications.