Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Achieves 63.6% photothermal conversion efficiency at 1064 nm, exceeding many inorganic and polymeric photothermal agents, which reduces laser power requirements and mitigates thermal damage to surrounding tissue in clinical hyperthermia. • • Broad absorption from 300 to 1800 nm enables excitation across visible to NIR-II, facilitating deep-tissue penetration and compatibility with multiple laser sources, a critical advantage for photoacoustic imaging and seawater desalination. • • Magnetic field enhances photothermal conversion by increasing spin-parallel state ratio, yielding a measurable temperature rise; this dual functionality eliminates the need for composite magnetic nanoparticles, reducing process complexity and performance trade-offs. • • Structural stability over six months in air with negligible magnetization degradation and preserved photothermal response ensures long shelf-life and reliable operation in remote or resource-limited settings, addressing durability concerns of hybrid materials.
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Abstract
Organic charge-transfer cocrystals comprising a triphenylene donor and F4TCNQ acceptor (Tri-F4TCNQ) were synthesized and characterized for magnetic-responsive near-infrared photothermal conversion and imaging. The cocrystal exhibits broad absorption from 300 to 1800 nm, with a photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of 63.6% under 1064 nm laser excitation. This high efficiency is attributed to dominant nonradiative decay pathways and suppressed radiative channels. The material displays intrinsic magnetism, and an external magnetic field enhances photothermal conversion by increasing the spin-parallel state ratio, thereby boosting nonradiative recombination. Photothermal imaging shows a corresponding magnetic field response. Structural stability was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and X-ray diffraction, with negligible degradation after six months in air. The cocrystal also demonstrates photosensitivity and magnetic field responsiveness, enabling applications in rapid content extraction and information encryption. This work represents a rare integration of magnetism and photothermal conversion in a single organic cocrystal, offering a foundation for advanced photothermal imaging and magnetic manipulation technologies.
1. Introduction
Photothermal materials convert infrared light into heat, enabling applications in solar steam generation, sensing, and therapy. Existing systems rely on metal nanoparticles, inorganic semiconductors, carbon-based materials, and organic small molecules. Integrating magnetic functionality with photothermal conversion has been attempted via composites, such as Fe3O4 nanoparticles embedded in hydrogels or magnetic particles in polypyrrole matrices. These composites face challenges: process complexity, performance trade-offs, stability issues, and limited application scope. A single material that intrinsically combines magnetism and photothermal conversion without composite fabrication remains elusive.
Organic charge-transfer cocrystals, formed by π-conjugated donor and acceptor molecules, exhibit rich optoelectronic and magnetic properties. The Tri-F4TCNQ cocrystal, composed of triphenylene and F4TCNQ, addresses the integration bottleneck by leveraging intense charge-transfer interactions to extend absorption into the NIR region and suppress radiative decay. Its intrinsic magnetism allows an external magnetic field to enhance nonradiative recombination, boosting photothermal conversion. This eliminates the need for separate magnetic components, simplifying fabrication and improving stability. The cocrystal's broad absorption (300–1800 nm) and high PCE (63.6% at 1064 nm) position it as a viable candidate for photothermal imaging, encryption, and content extraction.
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WEI Mengmeng, QIAN Yi, YU Fangyuan, YAO Xuechen, HU Jiashuo, XU Jing, TANG Xiaoyan, ZENG Zhongming, YANG Rui, QIN Wei (2025). Magnetic-Responsive Near-Infrared Photothermal Conversion and Imaging in Organic Charge Transfer Cocrystals. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3673-4
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of Tri-F4TCNQ under 1064 nm laser excitation, and how does it compare to existing photothermal agents?
The PCE is 63.6% at 1064 nm, which is competitive with many inorganic nanomaterials (e.g., gold nanostructures typically 50–70%) and superior to most organic small molecules. This high efficiency reduces required laser power, minimizing thermal damage to healthy tissue in clinical applications.
How does the magnetic field enhance photothermal conversion, and what is the underlying mechanism?
An external magnetic field increases the ratio of spin-parallel states, which enhances nonradiative recombination efficiency. This leads to a measurable temperature rise, as confirmed by photothermal imaging. The effect is attributed to the intrinsic magnetism of the cocrystal, which modulates the decay pathways without requiring composite magnetic nanoparticles.
What is the structural stability of Tri-F4TCNQ under ambient conditions, and how does it affect long-term applications?
Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry show stability across the studied temperature range. X-ray diffraction peaks remain unchanged after irradiation. After six months in air, magnetization and photothermal conversion properties show negligible degradation. This ensures reliable performance over extended periods, critical for practical deployment.
What are the scalability bottlenecks for synthesizing Tri-F4TCNQ cocrystals, and how might they impact commercial production?
The synthesis involves combining triphenylene and F4TCNQ in a crystalline structure. While the exact scalability is not detailed, the process avoids complex composite fabrication, potentially reducing costs. However, large-scale crystal growth with consistent quality and purity may require optimization of solvent and temperature conditions, which could affect yield and uniformity.
How does the broad absorption range (300–1800 nm) benefit applications such as photoacoustic imaging and seawater desalination?
The broad absorption enables excitation across visible to NIR-II, allowing deep tissue penetration for imaging and efficient solar harvesting for desalination. This eliminates the need for multiple materials tuned to specific wavelengths, simplifying system design and improving energy conversion across the solar spectrum.
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