Carbohydrate-Derived\nSuperhydrophilic Carbon Aerogels\nand Their Effects on Seedling Growth of Triticum aestivum

Synthesis methods of carbon nanomaterials have been developed\nvigorously\nin recent years, among which a simple, green, and mature approach\nis of more research significance. Carbon nanomaterials have depicted\nan impact on the growth and development of plants. In this study,\na new type of carbon nanomaterial, superhydrophilic carbon aerogel\n(CA), was synthesized via a hydrothermal process using carbohydrates\nand water-soluble polymers as raw materials. Characterized by scanning\nelectron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform\ninfrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, powder X-ray\ndiffraction, and N<sub>2</sub> adsorption analysis, the exemplified\nCA presented to have porous three-dimensional network structure composed\nof individual particles with diameters of 25 nm, with reactive surface,\nsingle composition, high specific surface area (89.94 m<sup>2</sup>·g<sup>–1</sup>), and wide range of density variation.\nThe 9 mg·mL<sup>-1</sup> CA suspension had a significant positive\neffect on the root growth of wheat seedlings, with promoted root elongation\n(about 67.17% longer) and root diameter (about 28.95% thicker) compared\nwith those of the control group. The cytological results suggested\nthat CA treatment triggered the propagation of meristematic cells,\nand the increased number of meristematic cells (65.79% more than the\ncontrol group) led to enhanced root growth by upregulated expression\nof related phytohormone genes in wheat seedlings.