Use of near-infrared radiation for oxygenic photosynthesis via photon up-conversion

: Antal T, Harju E, Pihlgren L, Lastusaari M, Tyystjärvi T, Hölsä J, Tyystjärvi E

Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

: 2012

: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY

: INT J HYDROGEN ENERG

: 37

: 10

: 8859

: 8863

: 5

: 0360-3199

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2012.01.087

Radiation between 400 and 700 nm, used for oxygenic photosynthesis by cyanobacteria, algae and plants, represents only 44% of total solar energy while the range above 700 nm comprises 52%. An ability to use near infrared (NIR, 700-1200 nm) radiation would greatly improve the efficiency of photosynthesis, but NIR photons have too low energy to excite the photosystems of oxygenic photosynthesis. Here we show that a mechanism called photon up-conversion can turn NIR radiation into an energy source for photosynthesis. In the future, it may be possible to up-convert the NIR part of the solar energy flux to visible light for use in photo-induced biohydrogen production by oxygenic photosynthesis. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.