Molecular Engineering of Corrole Radicals for Near-infrared Bio-imaging and Phototherapy

Date & Time

Date: Friday, Apr 17, 2026

Time: 10:00 -11:00 AM

Venue: IB 3106

Speaker

Prof. Zhen SHEN

Professor, Nanjing University

Abstract

Open-shell radical materials are promising near-infrared (NIR) photothermal agents due to narrow band gaps, yet their stability and biocompatibility remain key challenges for biomedicine. This work synthesized stable π-extended nickel corrole radicals for tumor photothermal therapy. Increasing fused benzene rings enhances light harvesting; the anthracene-fused radical and its oxidized cation show panchromatic absorption covering visible to NIR-II. Their low doubly excited state promotes non-radiative photothermal conversion. Water-soluble nanoparticles (Na-NPs) based on naphthalene-corrole radicals exhibit excellent photostability and 72% photothermal efficiency. In mice, 808 nm laser irradiation enables tumor photoacoustic imaging and effective ablation. This aromatic ring-fusion tuning method provides a new platform for high-performance NIR photothermal materials.

Bio
Professor Zhen Shen earned her Ph.D. from Nanjing University in July 2000, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Regensburg (Germany) and Ehime University (Japan). Since 2003, she has been affiliated with the School of Chemistry and State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, focusing on porphyrinoid synthesis, bioimaging, and photodynamic/photothermal therapy. She has published over 210 SCI papers in JACS, Angew Chem, Nat Commun, Chem Soc Rev, etc., and holds 2 Chinese patents. Her honors include the 2003 First Prize of MOE Science and Technology (6/10), 2004 Young Chemist Award (CCS), and 2010 Young Investigator Award (SPP). She serves on the editorial boards of Coordination Chemistry Reviews and several other journals.