Preparation of high-performance blue-red dual-emission carbon dots and their application in light conversion films

Abstract

A blue-red dual-emission carbon dot (B/R-CD)-based light conversion film was prepared and applied to improve the photosynthetic efficiency of plants. B/R-CDs were synthesized through a one-step hydrothermal method using acrylic acid and o-phenylenediamine and showed distinct emission peaks at 420 nm (blue) and 610 nm (red) under Ex = 350 nm. By integrating the B/R-CDs into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix, a high-performance blue-red dual-emission light conversion film was constructed that simultaneously blocks ultraviolet and green light while converting them into photosynthetically active blue and red wavelengths. Compared to conventional single-spectrum-conversion materials, the dual-emission system demonstrated superior performance. The results showed that the 4% B/R-CDs/PVA light conversion film significantly promoted the growth of bok choy, lettuce, and choy sum. Specifically, compared to the control group without the film, the fresh weight of bok choy under the light conversion film increased by 152.73%, carotenoid content increased by 96.00%, and flavonoid content increased by 133.91%. This film also increased the fresh weights of lettuce and choy sum by 143%–160%. This light conversion film demonstrates promising application prospects in crop cultivation, simultaneously addressing light-environment optimization and ecosystem carbon sequestration enhancement through improved photosynthetic quantum yield.