Developing dual‐state ultra‐efficient emissive carbon dots as internal and external artificial antenna of chloroplasts to enhance plant‐photosynthesis

Abstract

Introducing fluorescent nanomaterials as artificial antennas of chloroplasts offers a promising approach to enhancing light harvesting in photosynthesis. However, this technology is limited by the dependence of the fluorescence efficiency of nanomaterials on dispersed states that cannot enable nanomaterials inside and outside leaves to play an antenna role. Here, we developed solution and solid dual‐state ultra‐efficient blue emissive carbon dots (DuB2‐CDs) by regulating the content of graphitic‐N, surface hydroxyl groups. and C–Si bonds based on a four‐component microwave synthesis. The as‐prepared DuB2‐CDs showed intense blue emission in aqueous solution and solid state, with absolute photoluminescence quantum yields of 84.04% and 95.69%, respectively. These features guaranteed that the internal (DuB2‐CDs infiltrating the mesophyll system) and external (DuB2‐CDs remaining on the surface of leaves) artificial antennas can simultaneously enhance the solar energy utilization efficiency of chloroplasts. Compared with the control groups without antenna use and internal antenna use only, the foliar application of DuB2‐CDs substantially enhanced the electron‐transport rate, net photosynthesis rate, psbA gene expression, NADPH production, and other plant physiological parameters of living plant during photosynthesis. This work provided a promising strategy for realizing dual‐state ultra‐efficient emissive CDs while maximizing living plant‐photosynthesis augmentation.