Figure 1.

Design and characterizations of PCI-NP and CPCI-NP. (a) Schematic self-assembly illustration of PCI-NP and CPCI-NP. DLS and TEM imaging of (b) PCI-NP and (c) CPCI-NP PBS solution (stained with uranyl acetate for TEM; telodendrimer concentration: 1 mg mL⁻¹). (d) Continuous dynamic light scattering measurements of PCI-NP and CPCI-NP in SDS for 120 min, after which GSH (10 mM) was added. (e) Comparison of the photothermal conversion behavior of CPCI-NP and PCI-NP under laser irradiation for 300 s. (f) Anti-photobleaching property of CPCI-NP, PCI-NP and ICG in PBS solution, and CPCI-NP in PBS solution with GSH and SDS during five circles of heating-cooling processes. ICGD and ICG concentration: 30 μg mL⁻¹. (g) Near-infrared fluorescence and thermal imaging of CPCI-NP in PBS and GSH+SDS solution at the different concentration. (h) Analogous instrument and (i) temperature variation of CPCI-NP and PCLC/TBAI&ICG-NP under laser irradiation for 30 s to investigate penetration depth and thermal effect. (Laser: 808 nm, 0.8 W cm⁻²)