Nature-Inspired Artificial Aggregation-Induced Emission Antenna for Assembling with Algae to Promote Photosynthesis

Inspired by the structure of chlorophyll assembled on the thylakoid membrane through its long hydrophobic chain, we designed cationic aggregation-induced emission (AIE) amphiphiles with two long hydrophobic chains to assemble with the electronegative cytomembrane of algae for efficiently converting natural ultraviolet light into usable blue light to promote photosynthesis. The photosynthesis efficiency of algae depended on the carbon chain length of the AIE amphiphile due to the difference in assembly capacity with the algal membrane. The AIE amphiphile with two hydrophobic chains of 12 carbon atoms effectively intercalated into the cytomembrane of algae, serving as an artificial membrane-embedded antenna to significantly improve light utilization by algae. This resulted in increased electron generation and a 98.6% increase in the electron transfer rate. Consequently, oxygen and ATP production in light-dependent reactions were boosted by about 100% and 64.5%, respectively, and the lipid yield increased by 45.7% in dark reactions. In addition, the AIE amphiphile also demonstrated a low biotoxicity. These results highlight the potential of AIE amphiphiles as membrane-embedded artificial antennas for optimizing natural photosynthesis.