Seong-Jong Kim1,Sei Kwang Hahn1
Pohang University of Science and Technology1
Seong-Jong Kim1,Sei Kwang Hahn1
Pohang University of Science and Technology1
Upconversion materials (UCMs) have been developed to convert tissue-penetrating near-infrared (NIR) light into visible light. However, the low energy conversion efficiency of UCMs have limited their further biophotonic applications. Here, we developed controlled afterglow luminescent particles (ALPs) of ZnS:Ag,Co with strong and persistent green luminescence for photochemical tissue bonding (PTB). The co-doping of Ag<sup>+</sup> and Co<sup>2+</sup> ions into ZnS:Ag,Co particles with the proper vacancy formation of host ions resulted in high luminescence intensity and long-term afterglow. In addition, the ALPs of ZnS:Ag,Co could be recharged rapidly under short ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, which effectively activated rose bengal (RB) in hyaluronate – RB (HA-RB) conjugates for the crosslinking of dissected collagen layers without additional light irradiation. The remarkable PTB of ZnS:Ag,Co particles with HA-RB conjugates was confirmed by <i>in vitro</i> collagen fibrillogenesis assay, <i>in vivo</i> animal wound closure rate analysis, and <i>in vivo</i> tensile strength evaluation of incised skin tissues. Taken together, we could confirm the feasibility of controlled ALPs for various biophotonic applications.