Carbon Dots Embedded in Nanoporous SiO₂ Nanoparticles for Enhancing Photosynthesis in Agricultural Crops

Abstract

Nanoenable agriculture has been rapidly developed. However, foliar application of nanofertilizers results in them dripping off the leaves, which would effectively limit their bioavailability. Herein, a nanocarrier method of using nanoporous SiO 2 (NanoSi) was found to enhance the adhesion of carbon dots (CDs) on crop leaf surfaces. Foliar application of NanoSi-CDs (10 mg•L −1 ) could significantly increase the net photosynthetic rate (Pn; 110.0−140.0%), fresh weight (327.1% in roots and 247.2% in shoots), and dry weight (212.0% in roots and 118.5% in shoots) of maize. Moreover, NanoSi-CDs showed a long-term promotion effect. Specifically, the Pn remained significantly increased on day 20 after spraying with NanoSi-CDs, whereas the CDs had no such effect at the same time. Furthermore, the rainfall simulation experiments demonstrated that the water resistances of NanoSi-CDs and CDs were 2.5 and 1.5 cm, respectively. Compared with the control, NanoSi-CDs could increase the Pn by 22.3% on the 20th day after rainfall. Collectively, NanoSi nanocarriers can be a promising method to improve the bioavailability of engineering nanomaterials in sustainable agriculture.

A carbon dot toolbox for managing biotic and abiotic stresses in crop production systems

“…It is then likely that foliar exposure to GQDs would impair photosynthesis by damaging the photosynthetic tissues, thereby disrupting the normal plant growth. Interestingly, OH‐GQDs induced a stronger inhibitory effect on plant photosynthesis relative to NH2‐GQDs 70 …”

“…Interestingly, OH-GQDs induced a stronger inhibitory effect on plant photosynthesis relative to NH2-GQDs. 70…”

The effect of nanoparticle surface charge on freshwater algae growth, reproduction, and lipid production

“…Carbon dots (CDs) were used as a model particle for this work due to their intrinsic fluorescent properties, tunable surface chemistry, and emergent applications in nano-enabled agriculture. 17,18 CDs were functionalized with polymers to vary their surface charge. Polyethylenimine (PEI) functionalized CDs were created with positive surface charge.…”

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots enhanced seedling growth and salt tolerance with distinct requirements of excitation light

“…As a promising carbon-based nanomaterial family, carbon dots (CDs) have shown excellent biocompatibility and optical performance, and in the last decade have been shown to have a wide variety of applications in the nanoagriculture eld, 20 exhibiting benecial effects on seedling germination, [26][27][28] photosynthesis enhancement, [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] and stress resistance. [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50] For instance, degradable CDs, 39 far-red CDs, 51 element-doped CDs, 32,[52][53][54] glucosefunctionalized CDs, 55 and spirulina-based CDs 56 have all demonstrated outstanding abilities to enhance photosynthesis and plant growth.…”