Europium-doped layered double hydroxide with spectral conversion property for enhanced photosynthesis

Abstract

Photosynthesis paves a sustainable way to meet the growing demand for food and agricultural products. Herein, a europium-doped layered double hydroxide (Eu-LDH) architecture was designed via a co-precipitation method to augment photosynthesis. DFT calculations and characterization data revealed that the doped Eu atoms bestow the architecture with photo-responsive properties through the regulation of the density of states and the optimization of the bandgap structure. Eu-LDH possesses the spectral conversion effect that converts the poorly utilized UV light into the strongly absorbed red light in plants. By the scientific and accurate foliar spraying, Eu-LDH demonstrated an enhanced photosynthetic efficiency in Nicotiana benthamiana, improving the photosynthetic rate, leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight by 15.1%, 34.3%, 35.7%, and 16.7%, respectively. Moreover, the interaction between Eu-LDH and plant leaves was put forward as a key factor that is responsible for the promotion of photosynthesis. It ensured the duration of Eu-LDH on the leaf surface and provided an appropriate light environment for plants to carry out photosynthesis. These findings deepen the understanding of spectral conversion based on Eu-LDH with the engineered band gap structure towards increasing production and sustainable agricultural development.