Photoprotection of Chlorophyll-a by Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

AbstractThe photoprotection of Chlorophyll-a (Chla) is important for its utilization in light harvesting assemblies. Photodegradation effects seen in the Chla solution appear to be inhibited due to the incorporation of Au nanoparticles. The protecting ability of Chla by AuNPs is the result of their efficient binding with Chla at its nitrogen sites even in dark, thus, inhibiting the reaction of reactive oxygen species with Chla, known to cause its degradation during illumination.