Innovative Design and Applications of AIE Photosensitizers

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been extensively applied in anti-tumor and anti-pathogen treatments. However, traditional photosensitizers often suffer from reduced efficiency in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), significantly limiting their practical applications. In contrast, AIE photosensitizers (PSs) overcome this limitation due to their unique ability to enhance ROS generation in aggregate state. This breakthrough not only addresses the challenges faced by conventional PSs but also expands the scope of PDT into the realm of nanomedicine. In addition, AIE PSs exhibit unexpected multifunctional capabilities, for example, enabling “one-for-all” multimodal therapies and image-guided PDT, which integrate diagnosis and treatment into a single platform. These advancements underscore the necessity of transitioning the scientific paradigm from reductionism to holism, representing the potential of molecular aggregate science. The entry provides a comprehensive review of the design principles, enhancement mechanisms, and diverse applications of AIE PSs, showcasing their promising future in advancing the field of PDT and beyond.