Water-dispersible polymeric structure co-encapsulating a novel hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene core containing chromophore with enhanced two-photon absorption and magnetic nanoparticles for magnetically guided two-photon cellular imaging

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene core (HBCC) containing chromophore with enhanced two-photon absorption (TPA) compared to that of a corresponding chromophore containing a hexaphenylbenzene core. With its planar core, the HBCC chromophore has a strong tendency to aggregate by π-stacking when entrapped into a biodegradable polymer, diacylphospholipid-polyethyleneglycol (PE-PEG). Both of these otherwise hydrophobic chromophores exhibit strong fluorescence in aqueous polymeric micellar solutions. The emission spectrum for the HBCC chromophore in water is strongly dependent on the concentration of the chromophore encapsulated in micelles. On co-entrapping the HBCC chromophore with magnetic Fe ₃O ₄ nanoparticles in the micelles, it was possible to achieve magnetically guided two-photon cellular imaging with ample bearing on targeted imaging and therapy.