Alleviating NIR-II emission quenching in ring-fused fluorophore via manipulating dimer populations for superior fluorescence imaging.

Emission quenching resulting from fluorophore aggregation has long been a significant challenge in optimizing emission-based technologies, such as fluorescence imaging and optoelectronic devices. Alleviating this quenching in aggregates is crucial, yet progress is impeded by the limited understanding of the nature and impact of aggregates on emission. Here, we elucidate the critical role of dimeric aggregate (dimer) in alleviating second near-infrared (NIR-II, 900-1700 nm) emission quenching from ring-fused fluorophore 4F for superior fluorescence imaging.