Harnessing Exciton Flux With a Single‐Stranded DNA‐Programmed Nanodevice

M Mulin Duan (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering New Cornerstone Science Laboratory Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China) Y Yan Zhou H Haoran Zheng B Bingjie Yan (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering New Cornerstone Science Laboratory Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China) G Gaoang Zhou (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering New Cornerstone Science Laboratory Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China) S Siyuan Zhang S Shihua Luo (Department of Traumatology, Rui Jin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University) J Jing Chen C Chang Yan (Interdisciplinary Institute of NMR and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) C Chunhai Fan (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine) J Jianlei Shen (State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Natural and artificial nanosystems rely on functional module assembly, yet overcoming thermodynamic incompatibility in atomically precise nanodevice integration remains challenging. Here, we construct a single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA)‐directed nanodevice that achieves 94.3% quenching efficiency by harnessing asymmetric π–π interactions to split exciton energy levels. DNA spatial confinement orchestrates hydrophobic, covalent, and π–π interactions, enabling precise component arrangement. This nanodevice comprises a light‐harvesting engine, a vibrational metal nanocluster actuator and a programmable ssDNA. Asymmetric π–π interactions between fluorophore and metal nanocluster in DNA spatial confinements split fluorophore energy levels, directing exciton flux. Complementary DNA strands modulate engine‐actuator coupling, enabling enthalpy‐driven switching between radiative and non‐radiative pathways. By tuning DNA length and nanocluster ligands, we achieve continuous control over energy transfer efficiency. This programmable platform, manipulating non‐radiative decay via π–π interactions, establishes vibrational control as a general paradigm for nanoscale energy transduction.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 65, Issue 11
Published March 09, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (11)

M

Mulin Duan

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering New Cornerstone Science Laboratory Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China

Y

Yan Zhou

H

Haoran Zheng

B

Bingjie Yan

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering New Cornerstone Science Laboratory Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China

G

Gaoang Zhou

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering New Cornerstone Science Laboratory Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China

S

Siyuan Zhang

S

Shihua Luo

Department of Traumatology, Rui Jin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

J

Jing Chen

C

Chang Yan

Interdisciplinary Institute of NMR and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Province for Coal Conversion and New Carbon Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

C

Chunhai Fan

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine

J

Jianlei Shen

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules and National Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University