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In the present work, we investigated the effect of light conversion using europium (Eu(III))-based photoconversion covers on the cultivation of agricultural plants and their resistance to stress conditions. Two types of europium nanoparticles were used. The first one was obtained from europium oxide (Eu2O3) by laser fragmentation. The second one was Eu3+:LaF3 nanocrystals obtained by hydrothermal-microwave treatment, the content of europium ions in which was 50% of the total amount of cations. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) were used as model plants. It was shown that plants grown under cover with Eu2O3 (PCC-Eu2O3) were 30–40% larger, gave a higher yield, and the activation of gas exchange processes and the light phase of photosynthesis in the leaves in response to the lighting was faster. On the contrary, plants grown under cover with Eu3+:LaF3 (PCC-Eu3+:LaF3) tended to slow down the rate of biomass accumulation and decrease the rate of gas exchange activation. It was shown that photoconversion covers change the resistance of plants to stress conditions: if plants grown under PCC-Eu2O3 became more sensitive to heat (+40 °C) and cold (+4 °C) treatment, then plants grown under PCC-Eu3+:LaF3 became more resistant to high and low temperatures. It was found that PCC-Eu2O3 inhibited the development of the phytopathogen Phytophthora infestans on tomato plants. It was assumed that changes in the illumination spectrum by the photoconversion covers cause both the activation of plant growth in the case of Eu2O3 and an increase in plant resistance in the case of Eu3+:LaF3 applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, we investigated the effect of light conversion using europium (Eu(III))-based photoconversion covers on the cultivation of agricultural plants and their resistance to stress conditions. Two types of europium nanoparticles were used. The first one was obtained from europium oxide (Eu2O3) by laser fragmentation. The second one was Eu3+:LaF3 nanocrystals obtained by hydrothermal-microwave treatment, the content of europium ions in which was 50% of the total amount of cations. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) were used as model plants. It was shown that plants grown under cover with Eu2O3 (PCC-Eu2O3) were 30–40% larger, gave a higher yield, and the activation of gas exchange processes and the light phase of photosynthesis in the leaves in response to the lighting was faster. On the contrary, plants grown under cover with Eu3+:LaF3 (PCC-Eu3+:LaF3) tended to slow down the rate of biomass accumulation and decrease the rate of gas exchange activation. It was shown that photoconversion covers change the resistance of plants to stress conditions: if plants grown under PCC-Eu2O3 became more sensitive to heat (+40 °C) and cold (+4 °C) treatment, then plants grown under PCC-Eu3+:LaF3 became more resistant to high and low temperatures. It was found that PCC-Eu2O3 inhibited the development of the phytopathogen Phytophthora infestans on tomato plants. It was assumed that changes in the illumination spectrum by the photoconversion covers cause both the activation of plant growth in the case of Eu2O3 and an increase in plant resistance in the case of Eu3+:LaF3 applications.

On the basis of a direct current magnetron, a technology has been developed for producing nanoscale-oriented nanorods from zinc oxide on an acrylic polymer. The technology makes it possible to achieve different filling of the surface with zinc oxide nanorods. The nanorods is partially fused into the polymer; the cross section of the nanorods is rather close to an elongated ellipse. It is shown that, with intense abrasion, no delamination of the nanorods from the acrylic polymer is observed. The zinc oxide nanorods abrades together with the acrylic polymer. Zinc oxide nanorods luminesces with the wavelength most preferable for the process of photosynthesis in higher plants. It was shown that plants grown under the obtained material grow faster and gain biomass faster than the control group. In addition, it was found that on surfaces containing zinc oxide nanorods, a more intense formation of such reactive oxygen species as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical is observed. Intensive formation of long-lived, active forms of the protein is observed on the zinc oxide coating. The formation of 8-oxoguanine in DNA in vitro on a zinc oxide coating was shown using ELISA method. It was found that the multiplication of microorganisms on the developed material is significantly hampered. At the same time, eukaryotic cells of animals grow and develop without hindrance. Thus, the material we have obtained can be used in photonics (photoconversion material for greenhouses, housings for LEDs), and it is also an affordable and non-toxic nanomaterial for creating antibacterial coatings.

On the basis of a direct current magnetron, a technology has been developed for producing nanoscale-oriented nanorods from zinc oxide on an acrylic polymer. The technology makes it possible to achieve different filling of the surface with zinc oxide nanorods. The nanorods is partially fused into the polymer; the cross section of the nanorods is rather close to an elongated ellipse. It is shown that, with intense abrasion, no delamination of the nanorods from the acrylic polymer is observed. The zinc oxide nanorods abrades together with the acrylic polymer. Zinc oxide nanorods luminesces with the wavelength most preferable for the process of photosynthesis in higher plants. It was shown that plants grown under the obtained material grow faster and gain biomass faster than the control group. In addition, it was found that on surfaces containing zinc oxide nanorods, a more intense formation of such reactive oxygen species as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical is observed. Intensive formation of long-lived, active forms of the protein is observed on the zinc oxide coating. The formation of 8-oxoguanine in DNA in vitro on a zinc oxide coating was shown using ELISA method. It was found that the multiplication of microorganisms on the developed material is significantly hampered. At the same time, eukaryotic cells of animals grow and develop without hindrance. Thus, the material we have obtained can be used in photonics (photoconversion material for greenhouses, housings for LEDs), and it is also an affordable and non-toxic nanomaterial for creating antibacterial coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]