Carbon nanoparticles assisted energy transport mechanism in leaves: A thermal lens study

In the world of increasing population and pollution due to carbon emissions, the research for effective utilization of futile diesel soot for fruitful applications has become a necessity for a sustainable development. The contribution to pollution from vehicles and industries due to the aging of engines has caused a crisis. Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) have been the subject of interest because of their good physical, chemical, and biological properties. The present work investigates the role of CNPs produced by internal combustion engines on the energy transport mechanism among leaf pigments using the sensitive and nondestructive single beam thermal lens technique. The studies reveal the absorption changes by various chlorophyll pigments with the concentration of CNPs sprayed on the leaves. Though for low concentrations CNPs lower the photon absorbance by chlorophyll pigments, the effect gets reversed at higher concentrations. The variation of thermal diffusivity with CNP concentration and its role in the energy transport mechanism among chlorophyll pigments are also studied. It is found that CNP concentrations of 625-2500mg/l are good for better intra-pigment energy transport leading to increased rate of photosynthesis and plant yield and thereby helping in attaining food security. The variation of CNP assisted energy transport among leaf pigments on the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and carbohydrates is also studied with ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy.