Sustainable Carbon Dot-Based AIEgens: Promising Light-Harvesting Materials for Enhancing Photosynthesis

Abstract

Using fluorescent materials to improve solar energy capture by chloroplasts has the potential to significantly enhance natural photosynthesis. Most currently available fluorescent materials, however, are derived from unsustainable petroleum resources and suffer from aggregation-caused quenching, both of which limit their practical application. Here, we used nanotechnology to engineer a hybrid photosynthesis system, comprising natural photosynthetic chloroplasts and aggregation-induced emission carbon dots (CD-AIEgens) made from natural quercetin. The CD-AIEgens possess unique optical properties, including AIE active fluorescence, efficient harvesting of ultraviolet light, and good photostability. Since the CD-AIEgens are able to harvest solar energy over a wider range of wavelengths than natural chloroplasts, by coating chloroplasts with CD-AIEgens, we were able to produce a new type of bio-based optical hybrid (chloroplasts/CD-AIEgens complexes) with increased photosynthetic efficiency. In addition to capturing a broader range of light, chloroplasts/CD-AIEgens complexes can accelerate electron transport rates in photosystem II, the critical protein complex in chloroplasts, and augment photosynthesis beyond that of natural chloroplasts. In this study, we developed an easily prepared nanoengineering strategy to enhance solar energy conversion by chloroplasts using light-harvesting-sustainable carbon dots.

Sensitive Mechanofluorochromic Carbon Dot‐Based AIEgens: Promising Reporting Components for Self‐Sensing Plastics

“…[ 9 ] Signals at 531.1, 532.7, and 534.3 eV in the high‐resolution O1s spectrum were assigned to COH, CO, and CO groups, respectively, on the surface of the M‐CD‐AIEgens (Figure 1e). [ 10 ] Signals at 397.7, 399.1, and 400.0 eV in the high‐resolution N1s spectrum suggest that the M‐CD‐AIEgens contain pyridinic N, NH, and pyrrolic N atoms, respectively (pyrrolic and pyridinic nitrogen atoms are within the graphite structure) (Figure 1f). [ 8,11 ] The chemical structure of the M‐CD‐AIEgens was further investigated using 1 H NMR spectroscopy.…”

The role of fluorescent carbon dots in crops: Mechanism and applications

“…Subsequently, the rare earth‐CDs complex NaYF 4 :Yb,Er@CDs up‐conversion material synthesized by our group can convert near‐infrared radiation to red light, and the effect of promoting photosynthesis was also observed in mung beans 42 . In a recent study, CDs with full UV absorption and red‐emission were prepared using natural quercetin as a precursor, which captured a wider range of light and coated on the surface of chloroplasts 45 . The CDs increased the electron transfer rate of PS II and enhanced the photosynthesis of chloroplasts by converting more light energy.…”

“…Published studies on precursors, synthesis methods, quantum yields, absorption and emission wavelengths, crop species, and mechanisms of CDs are summarized in Table 1. 32,34,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] Next, we will discuss the influence of PL color of CDs on photosynthesis.…”

“…42 In a recent study, CDs with full UV absorption and red-emission were prepared using natural quercetin as a precursor, which captured a wider range of light and coated on the surface of chloroplasts. 45 The CDs increased the electron transfer rate of PS II and enhanced the photosynthesis of chloroplasts by converting more light energy.…”

“…CDs have excellent light‐harvesting ability and can be used as artificial photo‐antennae to absorb UV light that plants cannot absorb, and convert them into blue‐violet or red light that plants can use to increase the photosynthetic rate of leaves, thereby promoting plant growth. Published studies on precursors, synthesis methods, quantum yields, absorption and emission wavelengths, crop species, and mechanisms of CDs are summarized in Table 1 32,34,39–46 . Next, we will discuss the influence of PL color of CDs on photosynthesis.…”