Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles to Augment Photosynthesis of Chloroplasts

Abstract

By coating chloroplasts with conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs), a new bio‐optical hybrid photosynthesis system (chloroplast/CPNs) is developed. Since CPNs possess unique light harvesting ability, including the ultraviolet part that chloroplasts absorb less, chloroplast/CPN complexes can capture broader range of light to accelerate the electron transport rates in photosystem II (PS II), the critical protein complex in chloroplasts, and augment photosynthesis beyond natural chloroplasts. The degree of spectral overlay between emission of CPNs and absorption of chloroplasts is critical for the enhanced photosynthesis. This work exhibits good potential to explore new and facile nanoengineering strategy for reforming chloroplast with light‐harvesting nanomaterials to enhance solar energy conversion.

Enhanced Biological Photosynthetic Efficiency Using Light‐Harvesting Engineering with Dual‐Emissive Carbon Dots

“…As reported, blue light is helpful for photosynthesis . Previous studies revealed that the combination of blue and red light was effective for plant photosynthesis and growth .…”

“…They absorb light and then transfer it to PS I and PS II, accompanied with a series of electron‐transport processes; finally, they produce oxygen and ATP in the process of water splitting. Previously, studies have revealed that luminescent nanoparticles were used as additional light harvesting for enhanced photosynthesis, which were able to capture more effective light and then transformed into another form of energy, like electrons and photons . Herein, chloroplasts can absorb blue and red light that emitted from CDs to conduct light reaction, which takes place across the thylakoid membranes.…”

“…Isolation of Chloroplasts : Intact chloroplasts were distracted from fresh spinach purchased from the local market. According to the literature, about 30 g of cleaned spinach leaves was cut into small pieces and then ground in 30 mL of sucrose buffer (pH 7.3) containing 0.4 m sucrose, 0.01 m KCl, 0.03 m Na 2 HPO 4 , and 0.02 m KH 2 PO 4 , and then filtered through four layers of cotton gauze. Subsequently, the filtrate was centrifuged at 1000 rpm for 3 min and the supernatant was centrifuged again at 3000 rpm for 3 min.…”

“…Commonly, less than 10% of sunlight meets the need of the photosynthetic apparatus . In order to increase the amount of light absorbed by chloroplasts, various kinds of light‐harvesting nanomaterials have been employed to transform poorly absorbed UV light to highly absorbed visible light to boost the conversion efficiency of light used by chloroplasts . For example, Wang et al have reported an optical hybrid photosynthesis biosystem by coating chloroplast with conjugated polymer nanoparticles to absorb broader range of light .…”

“…In order to increase the amount of light absorbed by chloroplasts, various kinds of light‐harvesting nanomaterials have been employed to transform poorly absorbed UV light to highly absorbed visible light to boost the conversion efficiency of light used by chloroplasts . For example, Wang et al have reported an optical hybrid photosynthesis biosystem by coating chloroplast with conjugated polymer nanoparticles to absorb broader range of light . Chandra et al reported that CDs could promote photosynthesis by fastening the conversion of solar energy, which was the only research that attempted to improve photosynthesis on the basis of light‐harvesting CDs .…”