Nature-Inspired Artificial\nAggregation-Induced Emission\nAntenna for Assembling with Algae to Promote Photosynthesis

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