Photoconversion Fluoropolymer Films for the Cultivation of Agricultural Plants Under Conditions of Insufficient Insolation

• Main Authors: Alexander V. Simakin, Veronika V. Ivanyuk, Alexey S. Dorokhov, Sergey V. Gudkov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: photoconversion; quantum dots; nanomaterials; greenhouses; protected grounds; insufficient insolation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/22/8025

Plants are capable of using mainly the quanta of the red and blue parts of a spectrum for the reception of energy during photosynthesis. However, for many crops grown indoors in high latitudes or under conditions of insufficient insolation, the average daily intensity of the red and blue parts of the spectrum is usually sufficient only on clear summer days. A technology has been proposed to produce a photoconversion fluoropolymer film for greenhouses, which is based on the modification of fluoropolymer by nanoparticles with fluorescence in the blue or red part of the spectrum (quantum dots). The films are capable of converting UV and violet radiation into the blue and red region of the visible spectrum, the most important for plants. It has been shown that the use of photoconversion fluoropolymer films promotes biomass growth. The area of cucumber leaves grown under photoconversion films increases by 20%, pumpkins by 25%, pepper by 30%, and tomatoes by 55%. The use of photoconversion fluoropolymer films for greenhouses also allows obtaining 15% more fruit biomass from one bush. In general, the use of photoconversion fluoropolymer films may be in great demand for greenhouses lying in high latitudes and located in areas with insufficient insolation.