Near‐Infrared Nanophosphor Embedded in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle with High Light‐Harvesting Efficiency for Dual Photosystem Enhancement

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition Vol. 60; no. 13; pp. 6955 - 6959
• Main Authors: Huang, Wen‐Tse, Su, Ting‐Yi, Chan, Ming‐Hsien, Tsai, Jia‐You, Do, Yi‐Yin, Huang, Pung‐Ling, Hsiao, Michael, Liu, Ru‐Shi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 22-03-2021
• Edition: International ed. in English
• Subjects: Animal models; Animal tissues; Brassica; Conversion; dual photosystems; Electron transfer; Emerson effect; Infrared radiation; mesoporous silica embedded; Nanoparticles; Nanophosphors; near-infrared nanoparticles; Optical properties; Photosynthesis; Photosystem; Plant growth; Plant tissues; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Wavelengths; mesoporous silica embedded; Emerson effect; near-infrared nanoparticles; dual photosystems
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202015659

Light‐harvesting and conversion ability is important to promote plant growth, and especially when resources are limited. A near‐infrared (NIR) nanophosphor embedded with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), ZnGa2O4:Cr3+,Sn4+ (ZGOCS), was developed and its optical properties were harnessed to enhance the photosynthetic ability of Brassica rapa spp. chinensis. The broad excitation of ZGOCS from the ultraviolet to the visible region allowed the conversion of extra light into near‐infrared light (650–800 nm) and thus promoted the dual photosystem via the Emerson effect. ZGOCS@MSN was spherical with a size of 65±10 nm and good dispersion. A light conversion ability of up to 75 % under different wavelengths was achieved. Moreover, the electron transfer rate of photosynthesis increased by 100 % with a suitable ZGOCS@MSN concentration. Plant and animal models were used to explore the effects of the nanophosphor. ZGOCS@MSN distribution was tracked by monitoring its NIR emission in plant and animal tissues, demonstrating that this nanophosphor can be potentially utilized in plant growth.
A near‐infrared nanophosphor, ZnGa2O4:Cr3+,Sn4+ (ZGOCS@MSN), with high light‐harvesting efficiency triggers the Emerson effect of the photosynthetic centers (PSI and PSII) to enhance photosynthesis. A suitable ZGOCS@MSN concentration increased the fresh weight and chlorophyll content of Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis and enhanced the electron transfer rate and its distribution in various plant parts.