Nucleic-acid-base photofunctional cocrystal for information security and antimicrobial applications

Wenqing Xu, Guanheng Huang, Zhan Yang, Ziqi Deng, Chen Zhou, Jian-An Li, Ming- De Li (), Tao Hu (), Ben Zhong Tang () and David Lee Phillips ()
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Wenqing Xu: The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road
Guanheng Huang: The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road
Zhan Yang: Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ziqi Deng: The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road
Chen Zhou: Shantou University
Jian-An Li: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Nansha
Ming- De Li: Shantou University
Tao Hu: Sichuan University
Ben Zhong Tang: Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
David Lee Phillips: The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Cocrystal engineering is an efficient and simple strategy to construct functional materials, especially for the exploitation of novel and multifunctional materials. Herein, we report two kinds of nucleic-acid-base cocrystal systems that imitate the strong hydrogen bond interactions constructed in the form of complementary base pairing. The two cocrystals studied exhibit different colors of phosphorescence from their monomeric counterparts and show the feature of rare high-temperature phosphorescence. Mechanistic studies reveal that the strong hydrogen bond network stabilizes the triplet state and suppresses non-radiative transitions, resulting in phosphorescence even at 425 K. Moreover, the isolation effects of the hydrogen bond network regulate the interactions between the phosphor groups, realizing the manipulation from aggregation to single-molecule phosphorescence. Benefiting from the long-lived triplet state with a high quantum yield, the generation of reactive oxygen species by energy transfer is also available to utilize for some applications such as in photodynamic therapy and broad-spectrum microbicidal effects. In vitro experiments show that the cocrystals efficiently kill bacteria on a tooth surface and significantly help prevent dental caries. This work not only provides deep insight into the relationship of the structure-properties of cocrystal systems, but also facilitates the design of multifunctional cocrystal materials and enriches their potential applications.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46869-6

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