Patent Application
20160319231
A. Field of the Invention
The invention generally concerns wavelength conversion materials for use in a photo-bioreactor for growing phototrophic organisms. The materials include organic fluorescent dyes or combinations of such dyes that are solubilized within a polymeric matrix, where the polymeric matrix is capable of absorbing light from the sun or artificial light and emitting the absorbed light at a wavelength that is beneficial for the growth of the phototrophic organisms (e.g., light having a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm). The phototrophic organisms can then be used to produce bio-fuels and other desired products.
B. Description of Related Art
The largest fraction of the world's energy demand is presently met by the combustion of fossil fuels. This can result in excessive carbon dioxide emissions. Further, fossil fuels are a depleting resource.
Renewable energy sources such as biofuel are a potential alternative to fossil fuels. Biofuels can be derived from various food crops like palm, soy, etc. However, such food crops are limited by feedstock supply (S. Torkamani, Appl. Phys. Lett. 97, 043703 (2010); F. T. Haxo, The Journal of General Physiology 1950, 389). Another alternative is algae fuels. During photosynthesis, algae and other photosynthetic organisms capture carbon dioxide and sunlight and convert it into oxygen and biomass. The biomass can be converted into biofuels such as bioalcohols, biodiesels, biogas, syngas, solid biofuels, etc. by well-known processes (e.g., fermentation and enzymes, thermo/chemical conversion, gasification, etc.). While biomass from algae can have a relatively high energy yield (Lothar Wondraczek, Nature, 2013, Nature, 466 799 (2010)), the efficiency of producing the biomass from phototrophic organisms such as algae and cyanobacteria is relatively low.
Phototrophic organisms rely on light within the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) region as a source of energy for photosynthesis. The PAR region is typical referred to as light or radiation having a wavelength between 400 to 700 nanometers. Of this, light having a wavelength of about 400 to 500 nanometers (or blue light) and 600 to 700 nanometers (or red light) are more efficiently used by such plants in the photosynthesis process. By comparison, light having a wavelength between about 500 to 600 nanometers (or green/yellow light) is not as efficiently used. Further, light having a wavelength of about 700 to 800 nanometers (or far-red light) promotes petiole elongation while inhibiting germination and rooting in plants. Even further, increasing the red to far-red light (“Red to Far-Red Ratio” or “R:FR”) that a plant receives can be beneficial to the plant's growth and quality.
Attempts have been made to positively impact the growth of phototrophic organisms by manipulating the type and amount of light that said organisms receives. Such attempts typically involve the use of greenhouse materials infused with pigments that are designed to manipulate natural sunlight passing through the materials. In particular, pigments can absorb certain light and reflect others but are inefficient at converting light from one wavelength to another. Other strategies attempt to increase the transmittance of the more important light ranges from 400 to 500 nm or 600 to 700 nm, while simultaneously reflecting the least important range of 500 to 600 nm (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,269). The goal of such a strategy is to simply focus on the growth important light and ignore the remaining “unimportant light.”
Problems associated with the current materials are at least three-fold. First, several of the compounds and pigments used are not sufficiently stable from either a photo or thermal stability perspective. This is problematic given that greenhouse materials are typically subjected to prolonged outdoor use. Second, pigments are insoluble particles and have a tendency to coalesce together, which can create uneven distribution into a given material, thereby negatively affecting the efficacy of the material (e.g., some portions of the material may not have pigments or an insufficient amount to perform the desired result). Further, their insolubility limits the amount that can be used in a given material. Third, current strategies do not efficiently modify the R:FR ratio. Either several different types of ingredients are typically used to achieve an acceptable ratio or the strategies appear to be limited to the amount of red/far red light present in natural sunlight.
It has been discovered that certain organic fluorescent dyes can be used to produce wave-length conversion materials for use in photo-bioreactors for improving or maximizing the growth of phototrophic organisms. This discovery provides several solutions to the problems existing with the current state of the art in this field. For one, instead of discarding or ignoring the undesirable green/yellow light, it actually converts such light to a more useable red-light. This has the benefit of directly increasing the R:FR ratio without the need for other ingredients. It creates a new source of the desirable red light. Also, the fluorescent dyes have photo and thermal stability, thereby allowing their use in such photo-bioreactors. Further, and unlike pigments, the dyes can be solubilized into a polymeric matrix, which increases the amount of the dyes present within a given matrix and evenly disperses the dyes throughout the matrix. This increased solubility ensures that the resulting polymeric matrix or material provides consistent light converting properties across the entire surface of the material.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a wavelength conversion material for use in a photo-bioreactor for growing phototrophic organisms. The wavelength conversion material can include an organic fluorescent dye or a combination of multiple organic fluorescent dyes and a polymeric matrix, wherein the organic fluorescent dye(s) is/are solubilized in the polymeric matrix. The wavelength-conversion material is capable of absorbing light comprising a wavelength of 280 to 650 nm and emitting the absorbed light at a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm. In particular aspects, the wave-length conversion material is capable of absorbing light comprising a wavelength of 450 to 650 nm and emitting the absorbed light at a wavelength of 550 to 800 nm or is capable of absorbing light comprising a wavelength of 280 to 650 nm and emitting the absorbed light at a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm. The wavelength conversion material can be configured such that it is placed between a light source (e.g., sunlight, artificial light source (e.g., UV lamp), or a combination of sunlight and artificial light source) and a plurality of at least one phototrophic organism. The plurality of the at least one phototrophic organism can be included in a liquid medium such as one that includes water. The wavelength-conversion material can be configured to form at least a portion of a container that is configured to hold the liquid medium comprising the plurality of the at least one phototrophic organism. Alternatively, the wavelength conversion material can be a thin sheet that is placed over or adjacent to the container or surrounds the container. In another embodiment, the phototrophic organism can be supported by a substrate (e.g., solid substrate, semi-solid substrate such as a gel substrate, etc.) and a biofilm can be formed by the phototrophic organism. The biomass or biofilm can be formed by subjecting the phototropic organism to light that has been converted by the wavelength conversion material. The phototrophic organisms can be algae (e.g., green algae, red algae, brown algae, golden algae, etc.), other protists (such as euglena), phytoplankton, bacteria (such as cyanobacteria), or combinations thereof. The wavelength-conversion material can be transparent, translucent, or opaque. In particular aspects, it is either transparent or translucent. The polymeric matrix can be formed into a film or a sheet. The film or sheet can be a single-layered or multi-layered film. The film or sheet can be adhered to another surface (e.g., a window, a second film, etc.). The film or sheet can have a thickness of 10 to 500 μm or from 0.5 to 3 mm. The organic fluorescent dyes, polymeric matrix, and/or wavelength-conversion material can have a stoke shift of 60 to 120 nanometers. The polymeric matrix or wavelength-conversion material is thermally stable at a temperature from 200 to 350° C. In particular embodiments, the organic fluorescent dye can be a perylene containing compound, non-limiting examples of which are provided throughout this specification and incorporated into this section by reference. The perylene containing compound can be a perylene diimide. The perylene diimide can have a structure of:
wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from branched C6-C18 alkyl and phenyl which is disubstituted by C1-C5 alkyl; and G is independently selected from
wherein R3 is independently selected from hydrogen, C8-C12 alkyl and halogen; m represents the number of substituents and is an integer from 0 to 5; R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C6-C20 aromatic, and C6-C20 cycloalkyl; n represents the number of substituents and is an integer from 0 to 5; and A is selected from a bond, C1-C12 alkyl, C6-C20 aromatic, and C6-C20 cycloalkyl. Specific non-limiting structures of the perylene dyes are provided in the detailed description and examples section of this specification and are incorporated into this section by reference. In another embodiment, the perylene containing compound can have a structure of:
wherein R and R′ are each independently selected from C8-C18 alkyl, substituted C8-C18 alkyl, C8-C18 alkoxy, substituted C8-C18 alkoxy, and halogen; m represents the number of R substituents on each phenoxy ring, wherein each m is independently an integer from 0 to 5; and k represents the number of R′ substituents on each benzimidazole group, wherein each k is independently an integer from 0 to 4. Specific non-limiting structures of the above perylene compounds are provided in the detailed description and examples section of this specification and are incorporated into this section by reference. In certain aspects, the polymeric matrices of the present invention can include a combination of various perylene compounds. Also, and in addition to the perylene compounds, the organic fluorescent dye can be a coumarin dye, a carbocyanine dye, a phthalocyanine dye, an oxazine dye, a carbostyryl dye, a porphyrin dye, an acridine dye, an anthraquinone dye, an arylmethane dye, a quinone imine dye, a thiazole dye, a bis-benzoxazolylthiophene (BBOT) dye, or a xanthene dye, or any combination of dyes thereof. In certain embodiments, the polymeric matrix can include at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten or more different dyes. In instances where a first and second dye is present in the matrix, the ratio of the first organic fluorescent dye to the second organic fluorescent dye can be from 1:50 to 1:1 to 50:1. The polymeric matrix can include a polycarbonate, a polyolefin, a polymethyl (meth)acrylate, a polyester, an elastomer, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl butyral, polystyrene, or a polyvinyl acetate, or any combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the polymeric matrix comprises a polycarbonate or a polyolefin or a combination thereof. Examples of polyolefin polymers include polyethylene or polypropylene polymer. Examples of polyethylene polymers include low-density polyethylene polymers, linear low-density polyethylene polymers, or high-density polyethylene polymers. In some aspects, the polymeric matrix can include an additive. Such additives can be used in a variety of ways (e.g., to increase the structural integrity of the matrix or material, to increase the absorption efficiency of the matrix or material, to aid in dispersing the dyes throughout the matrix, to block ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.). In some instances, the additive can be an ultraviolet absorbing compound, an optical brightener, an ultraviolet stabilizing agent, a heat stabilizer, a diffuser, a mold releasing agent, an antioxidant, an antifogging agent, a clarifier, a nucleating agent, a phosphite or a phosphonite or both, a light stabilizer, a singlet oxygen quencher, a processing aid, an antistatic agent, a filler or a reinforcing material, or any combination thereof. An example of an optical brightener is 2,2′-(2,5-thiophenediyl)bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole). In certain aspects, the additive can be a diketopyrrolo-pyrrole (DPP) containing compound. Non-limiting examples of DPP compounds include those having the following structure:
wherein R1 and R2 can each individually be H, CH3, CH2H5, 2-ethylhexyl, an amine, or a halogen (e.g., Cl). In particular, embodiments, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen. In other instances, R1 can be hydrogen and R2 can be a halogen such as Cl. Other derivatives of DPP can also be used in the context of the present invention such that the R1 and R2 groups can be C1 to C8 linear and branched alkyl groups, phenol groups, etc. In some embodiments, the additive can be a pigment. In other embodiments, the polymeric matrix or wavelength conversion material does not include a pigment or does not include a perylene-based pigment. The polymeric matrix or wavelength converting material can be designed such that it is also capable of absorbing ultraviolet light comprising a wavelength of 280 to 400 nm. In such cases, the polymer matrix can further include an ultraviolet light absorbing compound that is capable of absorbing ultraviolet light comprising a wavelength 280 to 400 nm. In particular instances, the ultraviolet light absorbing compound is capable of emitting said absorbed light in the range of 400 to 800 nm or 400 to 500 nm, or 600 to 700 nm, or 600 to 800 nm. The ultraviolet light absorbing compound can be capable of absorbing ultraviolet light comprising a wavelength of 315 to 400 nm, wherein said compound can be avobenzone (Parsol® 1789, DSM, Switzerland), bisdisulizole disodium (Neo Heliopan® AP, Symrise AG, Germany), diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (Uvinul® A Plus, BASF), ecamsule (Mexoryl™ SX), or methyl anthranilate, or any combination thereof. Avobenzone is also known as methoxydibenzoylmethane and ecamsule is also known as terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid. The ultraviolet light absorbing compound can be capable of absorbing ultraviolet B light comprising a wavelength of 280 to 315 nm, wherein said compound can be 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), cinoxate (2-ethoxyethyl p-methoxycinnamate), ethylhexyl triazone (Uvinul® T 150), homosalate (3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (Parsol® 5000), octyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate), octyl salicylate (octisalate), padimate 0 (2-ethylhexyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate, Escalol® 507, Ashland, Inc.), phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid (ensulizole), polysilicone-15 (Parsol® SLX), trolamine salicylate. The ultraviolet light absorbing compound can be capable of absorbing ultraviolet A and B light comprising a wavelength of 280 to 400 nm, wherein said compound can be bemotrizinol (Tinosorb™ S, BASF, USA), benzophenones 1 through 12, dioxybenzone, drometrizole trisiloxane (Mexoryl™ XL), iscotrizinol (Uvasorb® HEB, BASF, USA), octocrylene, oxybenzone (Eusolex® 4360, Merck, KGaA, Germany), or sulisobenzone. The polymeric matrix or wavelength conversion material is capable of emitting more of the absorbed light at a wavelength of 600 to 700 nm than at a wavelength of 700 to 800 nm, thereby increasing the red to far red ratio of the emitted light. In some instances, the polymeric matrix can further include a diffuser such as cross-linked siloxane particles. Non-limiting examples of which include the Tospearl® series diffusers that are commercially available from Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. (e.g., Tospearl® 120, Tospearl® 130, Tospearl® 240, Tospearl® 3120, or Tospearl® 2000.). The diffuser can be an inorganic material comprising antimony, titanium, barium, or zinc, or oxides thereof, and mixtures thereof. In some instances, the organic fluorescent dye is not present on, attached to, or incorporated in silicone flakes or wherein the matrix is not present on, attached to, or incorporated in silicone flakes.
Also disclosed is a photo-bioreactor comprising any one of the wavelength-conversion materials of the present invention. Examples of photo-bioreactors that can be used in combination with the wavelength-conversion materials include plate or flatbed photobioreactors, tubular photobioreactors, bubble column photobioreactors, foil photobioreactors, etc. The wavelength-conversion material can be configured such that it is placed between a light source and a plurality of at least one phototrophic organism. The light source can be natural sunlight or can be artificial (such as from a UV lamp) or can be a combination thereof. The at least one phototrophic organism can be included in a liquid medium that helps promote the growth of the organism (e.g., water can be included in said liquid medium). Alternatively, the organism can be supported by a solid substrate or a semi-solid substrate such as a gel substrate. In either instance, the photo-bioreactor can include a container for holding the liquid medium or a solid or semi-solid substrate for supporting the organism. The photo-bioreactor can be a closed system (e.g., one that includes a transparent or translucent container that encloses the phototropic organism from the environment) or an open system (e.g., an open pond or container that exposes the phototropic organism to the environment). In either instance, the photo-bioreactor can further include a source of carbon dioxide (e.g., a gas inlet that is connected to a source of gas having CO2). The source can be purified carbon dioxide or can be a mixture of gases, one of which is carbon dioxide. In some aspects, the source of gas can be waste gas such as flue gas. In particular instances, the photo-bioreactor can be a flatbed photo-bioreactor or a column photo-bioreactor. The flatbed photo-bioreactor can include a first surface and an opposing second surface. The opposing second surface can include a reflective backing which can be used to further capture or utilize the light source for growing the phototropic organisms. A second flatbed photo-bioreactor can be placed next to the first surface of the first flatbed photo-bioreactor to form a stack. Third, fourth, fifth, etc. flatbed photo-bioreactors can be placed next to one another to form larger stacks.
Also disclosed is a method of growing a phototrophic organism or biomass comprising obtaining a plurality of at least one phototrophic organism, converting light comprising a wavelength of 280 to 650 nm into light comprising a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm with any one of the wavelength-conversion materials of the present invention, and subjecting the plurality of the at least one phototrophic organism to the converted light. In particular aspects, the method converts light comprising a wavelength of 280 to 400 nm into light comprising a wavelength of greater than 400 to 800 nm or greater than 400 to 700 nm. As discussed above and throughout this specification, the at least one phototrophic organism can be comprised within a liquid medium or can be supported on a substrate (e.g., solid substrate, semi-solid substrate such as a gel substrate, etc.). Further, the method can include the use of a photo-bioreactor system. The light source can be sunlight or artificial light or a combination thereof. The rate of growth of the plurality of the at least one phototrophic organism or biomass can increase when compared with the rate of growth of a plurality of the at least one phototrophic organism or biomass that has not subjected to the converted light. The produced organisms or biomass can then be harvested and further converted into additional products such as biofuels (e.g., bioalcohols, biodiesels, biogas, syngas, solid biofuels, etc.). Well-known processes for making said biofuels can be utilized (e.g., fermentation and enzymes, thermo/chemical conversion, gasification, etc.).
In a further aspect of the invention there is disclosed a method of increasing the red to far red (R:FR) ratio of red light that a phototropic organism receives comprising converting light comprising a wavelength of 500 to 700 nm into light comprising a wavelength of greater than 550 to 800 nm with any one of the wavelength-conversion materials or matrixes discussed above and throughout this specification. The method can further include subjecting the phototropic organism to the converted light, wherein the R:FR ratio of red light that the organism receives is increased by at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, or 50% or more in the presence of the converted light when compared with the R:FR ratio of red light that an organism receives in the absence of said converted light. The majority of the converted light can include a wavelength of 600 to 700 nm. In some instances, the R:FR ratio can be measured by using specific absorbances for red and far-red light such as 660 nm for red and 730 nm for far-red. The 660/730 Sensor (Red/Far Red) commercially available from Skye Instruments Ltd. (United Kingdom) can be used. The light source can be natural sunlight or can be non-natural light produced from a light source such as a lamp. As noted above, the wavelength-conversion material can be a film or sheet. The material can be used in a variety of photo-bioreactors, including open and closed-systems.
In another embodiment of the invention there is disclosed a method of making any one of the wave-length conversion materials of the present invention. The method can include obtaining an organic fluorescent dye that is capable of absorbing light comprising a wavelength of 280 to 650 nm and emitting the absorbed light at a wavelength of 400 to 800 nm, and adding said organic fluorescent dye into a polymeric matrix such that said dye is solubilized in said polymeric matrix. The organic fluorescent dye can be added to the polymer matrix to form a mixture. The mixture can be extruded with an extruder to form an extrudate. The extrudate can be formed into a sheet or film or molded into a container. The organic fluorescent dye can be added to the polymer matrix in powdered form or as a solution in which the dye is partially or fully solubilized within a solvent. The extrudate can be molded into a container that is capable of holding a liquid medium comprising a phototrophic organism such as algae or cyanobacteria.
The term “photo-bioreactor” refers to a structure used to grow phototropic organisms. The photo-bioreactors can be closed-systems system (e.g., one that includes a transparent or translucent container that encloses the phototropic organism from the environment) or an open system (e.g., an open pond or container that exposes the phototropic organism to the environment).
The term “integer” means a whole number and includes zero. For example, the expression “n is an integer from 0 to 4” means n may be any whole number from 0 to 4, including 0.
Compounds are described using standard nomenclature. For example, any position not substituted by any indicated group is understood to have its valency filled by a bond as indicated, or a hydrogen atom. A dash (“—”) that is not between two letters or symbols is used to indicate a point of attachment for a substituent. For example, the aldehyde group —CHO is attached through the carbon of the carbonyl group.
The term “aliphatic” refers to a linear or branched array of atoms that is not cyclic and has a valence of at least one. Aliphatic groups are defined to comprise at least one carbon atom. The array of atoms may include heteroatoms such as nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, selenium and oxygen or may be composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen (“Alkyl”). Aliphatic groups may be substituted or unsubstituted. Examples of aliphatic groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, chloromethyl, hydroxymethyl (—CH2OH), mercaptomethyl (—CH2SH), methoxy, methoxycarbonyl (CH3OCO—), nitromethyl (—CH2NO2), and thiocarbonyl.
The term “alkyl” refers to a linear or branched array of atoms that is composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. The array of atoms may include single bonds, double bonds, or triple bonds (typically referred to as alkane, alkene, or alkyne). Alkyl groups may be substituted or unsubstituted. Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl.
The term “aromatic” refers to an array of atoms having a valence of at least one and comprising at least one aromatic group. The array of atoms may include heteroatoms such as nitrogen, sulfur, selenium, silicon and oxygen, or may be composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. The aromatic group may also include nonaromatic components. For example, a benzyl group is an aromatic group that comprises a phenyl ring (the aromatic component) and a methylene group (the nonaromatic component). Examples of aromatic groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, naphthyl, biphenyl, 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 4-chloromethylphen-1-yl, and 3-trichloromethylphen-1-yl(3-CCl3Ph—).
The terms “cycloaliphatic” and “cycloalkyl” refer to an array of atoms which is cyclic but which is not aromatic. The cycloaliphatic group may include heteroatoms such as nitrogen, sulfur, selenium, silicon and oxygen, or may be composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. A cycloalkyl group is composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. A cycloaliphatic group may comprise one or more noncyclic components. For example, a cyclohexylmethyl group (C6H11CH2) is a cycloaliphatic functionality, which comprises a cyclohexyl ring (the array of atoms which is cyclic but which is not aromatic) and a methylene group (the noncyclic component). Exemplary cycloaliphatic groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, 1,1,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutyl, piperidinyl, and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperydinyl.
The term “alkoxy” refers to an array of atoms containing an alkyl group and an oxygen atom at one end. Alkyl groups may be substituted or unsubstituted. Examples of alkoxy groups include methoxy(-OCH3) and ethoxy(-OCH2CH3). A related group is “phenoxy,” which refers to a phenyl group having an oxygen atom attached to one carbon. The phenoxy group may also be substituted or unsubstituted.
The term “about” or “approximately” are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%.
The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.”
The words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
The wavelength-conversion materials, organic fluorescent dyes, and/or polymeric matrices of the present invention can “comprise,” “consist essentially of” or “consist of” particular ingredients, components, compositions, etc. disclosed throughout the specification. With respect to the transitional phase “consisting essentially of,” in one non-limiting aspect, a basic and novel characteristic of the wavelength-conversion materials, organic fluorescent dyes, and/or polymeric matrices of the present invention are their ability to efficiently absorb light comprising a wavelength of 500 to 700 nm and emitting the absorbed light at a wavelength of greater than 550 to 800 nm.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following figures, detailed description, and examples. It should be understood, however, that the figures, detailed description, and examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only and are not meant to be limiting. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
While the use of phototropic organisms such as algae and cyanobacteria as feedstock for biofuel production is known, the yield and quality of producing the feedstock remains largely inefficient. One potential cause of this is illustrated in Table 1 and
Similarly, the absorbance spectrum of different cyanobacteria (
The present discovery offers a solution to these inefficiencies by manipulating the wavelength of light received by phototropic organisms such as algae and cyanobacteria. It was discovered that certain organic fluorescent dyes can be solubilized in a polymer matrix and used in wavelength-conversion materials to increase the phototropic organisms' use of available light to aid in plant growth. These materials work by absorbing light that the phototropic organisms are inefficient at absorbing and converting said light to light that said organisms can efficiently absorb. In particular, when light falls onto the wavelength-conversion materials, the luminescent dyes absorb light in the spectral region where the phototropic organisms have lesser absorption and emit in the region where they have higher absorption rates. As illustrated in the Examples, this increases the overall flux of harvestable light for the phototropic organisms. Therefore, the wave-length conversion materials of the present invention can increase the efficiency of the photosynthesis process for phototropic organisms such as algae and cyanobacteria.
These and other non-limiting aspects of the present invention are discussed in further detail in the following sections.
A variety of organic fluorescent dyes can be used in the context of the present invention. In particular embodiments, perylene-based dyes can be used in the wavelength-conversion material of the present invention. The dyes are capable of absorbing light comprising a wavelength of 500 to 700 nm or 500 to 600 nm and emitting the absorbed light at a wavelength of greater than 550 to 800 nm or 600 to 800 nm or 600 to 700 nm.
Perylene-based organic fluorescent dyes are derived from perylene, which has the following chemical structure:
Non-limiting examples of perylene-based dyes that can be used are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,299,354, 8,304,645, and 8,304,647, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.
In one particular instance, the structure of the perylene-based organic fluorescent dye can be a perylene diimide of Formula (I):
wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from branched C6-C18 alkyl and phenyl which is disubstituted by C1-C5 alkyl; and G is independently selected from Formulas (Ia) and (Ib):
wherein R3 is independently selected from hydrogen, C8-C12 alkyl and halogen; m represents the number of substituents and is an integer from 0 to 5; R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C6-C20 aromatic, and C6-C20 cycloalkyl; n represents the number of substituents and is an integer from 0 to 5; and A is selected from a bond, C1-C12 alkyl, C6-C20 aromatic, and C6-C20 cycloalkyl. In particular embodiments, R1 and R2 are independently selected from branched C6-C18 alkyl; each R3 is independently selected from C8-C12 alkyl; and m is an integer from 1 to 5. The four G groups can be the same or different. In one aspect, the G group can be
In particular embodiments, the G group is Formula (Ib).
In one aspect, the perylene diimide fluorescent dye has a structure of Formulas (II), (III), (IV), (V), or (VI):
In another aspect, the perylene diimide fluorescent dyes can be based on the Lumogen® series of dyes, which are commercially available from BASF. In one particular instance, the following Lumogen® F Red 305 dye can be used:
A method for making the above-noted compounds is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 8,304,647, which again is incorporated by reference. In general, the following reaction scheme can be used:
Referring to the above reaction scheme, the method of making a compound of Formula (I) can include condensing a tetrachloroperylene dianhydride 1 with an amine of the formula H2N—R1 2 and an amine of the formula H2N—R2 3 in o-dichlorobenzene 4. If R1 and R2 are identical, then the dianhydride is condensed with only one amine. The intermediate product 5 formed from the reaction of the tetrachloroperylene dianhydride and amine(s) can be used without purification or separation if desired. The intermediate product is then reacted with a base 6 and a phenol 7 in an aprotic polar solvent 8 to obtain the dye compound 9 of Formula (I). The phenol reacts with the base to form a phenol salt that more easily reacts with the intermediate product. In specific embodiments, the base is a potassium or sodium base. Examples of bases include potassium carbonate (K2CO3), sodium carbonate, and similar bases. Especially desirable are bases having a pKa of 10 or less. The phenol used to react with the intermediate product generally has the structure of Formula (Ic) or (Id):
where R3, m, R4, n, and A are as described above. Exemplary phenols include nonyl phenol, p-cumyl phenol, and p-tert-octyl phenol. Suitable aprotic polar solvents include dimethylformamide (DMF); n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP); dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); dimethylacetamide, and halogenated solvents like o-dichlorobenzene. The condensing reaction of the tetrachloroperylene dianhydride and amine(s) can be performed at temperatures of from about 80° C. to about 200° C. The condensing reaction may take place over a time period of from about 2 hours to about 10 hours, including from about 4 hours to about 8 hours. The reaction of the intermediate product with the salt and the phenol can be performed at temperatures of from about 80° C. to about 220° C. In more specific embodiments, the temperature is from about 160° C. to about 200° C. The condensing reaction may take place over a time period of from about 30 minutes to about 36 hours. In more specific embodiments, the time period is from about 1 hour to about 28 hours. The reaction of the intermediate product with the base and the phenol may also take place in an inert atmosphere, such as under nitrogen or argon gas. Desirably, the solvent is “dry”, i.e. contains as little water as possible. After the dye compound of Formula (I) is formed, it may be purified by column chromatography. The dye compounds are soluble in common solvents like chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, toluene, chloroform, dichloromethane, cyclohexane, and n-hexane.
In another particular instance, the perylene-based organic fluorescent dye (a nonyl phenol containing type lumogen red dye (NRL)) can have a structure of Formula (VII) and (VIII):
wherein each R and R′ is independently selected from C1-C18 alkyl, substituted C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 alkoxy, substituted C1-C18 alkoxy, and halogen; m represents the number of R substituents on each phenoxy ring, wherein each m is independently an integer from 0 to 5; and k represents the number of R′ substituents on each benzimidazole group, wherein each k is independently an integer from 0 to 4. The compounds can be considered as having a perylene core, two benzimidazole end groups (trans and cis isomers), and four phenoxy side groups. The hydrogen atoms of the alkyl and alkoxy groups may be substituted with, for example, hydroxyl and phenyl groups.
In some specific embodiments, each phenoxy group is substituted in only the para position with an R group independently selected from C8-C18 alkyl (with respect to the oxygen atom) (i.e. m=1). In more specific embodiments, the four R groups in the para position are the same. In other specific embodiments, each k is zero.
In particular embodiments, each R and R′ is independently selected from C8-C18 alkyl, substituted C8-C18 alkyl, C8-C18 alkoxy, substituted C8-C18 alkoxy, and halogen; each m is independently an integer from 0 to 5; and each k is independently an integer from 0 to 4.
Non-limiting examples of compounds of Formulas (VII) and (VIII) are provided below in Formulas (IX), (X), (XI), (XII), (XIII), (IVX):
A method for making the above-noted compounds is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 8,299,354, which again is incorporated by reference. In general, the following reaction scheme can be used:
Referring to the above reaction scheme, the dye compounds of Formulas (VII) and (VIII) can be synthesized by condensing a tetrachloroperylene dianhydride 1 with an o-phenylene diamine 2 in an appropriate solvent 3. The intermediate product 4 formed from the reaction of the tetrachloroperylene dianhydride and o-phenylene diamine can be used without purification or separation. The intermediate product is then reacted with a base 5 and a phenol 6 in an aprotic polar solvent 7 to obtain the dye compound 8 of Formula (VII) or (VIII) (here, only Formula (VII) is shown). The o-phenylene diamine (also known as diaminobenzene) is used to form the benzimidazole end groups of the dye compound. If desired, substituted o-phenylene diamines may also be used. The o-phenylene diamines may be substituted with C1-C18 alkyl, substituted C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 alkoxy, substituted C1-C18 alkoxy, and halogen. Appropriate solvents for the condensation of the tetrachloroperylene dianhydride and o-phenylene diamine include propionic acid, acetic acid, imidazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, and halogenated solvents like o-dichlorobenzene. The phenol reacts with the base to form a phenol salt that more easily reacts with the intermediate product. In specific embodiments, the base is a potassium or sodium base. Exemplary bases include potassium carbonate (K2CO3), sodium carbonate, and similar bases. Especially desirable are bases having a pKa of 10 or less. The phenol used to react with the intermediate product generally has the structure of Formula (XV):
where R and m are as described above. Examples of phenols include nonyl phenol; p-tert-butyl phenol; and p-tert-octyl phenol. Suitable aprotic polar solvents include dimethylformamide (DMF); n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP); dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); dimethylacetamide; and halogenated solvents like o-dichlorobenzene. The condensing reaction of the tetrachloroperylene dianhydride and o-phenylene diamine can be performed at temperatures of from about 80° C. to about 200° C. The condensing reaction may take place over a time period of from about 3 hours to about 12 hours, including from about 4 hours to about 8 hours. The reaction of the intermediate product with the base and the phenol can be performed at temperatures of from about 80° C. to about 200° C. In more specific embodiments, the temperature is from about 130° C. to about 160° C. The condensing reaction may take place over a time period of from about 4 hours to about 36 hours. In more specific embodiments, the time period is from about 4 hours to about 28 hours. The reaction of the intermediate product with the base and the phenol may also take place in an inert atmosphere, such as under nitrogen or argon gas. Desirably, the solvent is “dry”, i.e. contains as little water as possible. After the dye compound of Formula (VII) or (VIII) is formed, it may be purified by column chromatography. The dye compounds are soluble in common solvents like chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, toluene, chloroform, and dichloromethane.
In addition to the above-discussed perylene-based dyes, it is also contemplated that other dyes can be used in the context of the present invention. Non-limiting examples of such other dyes include coumarin dyes, carbocyanine dyes, phthalocyanine dyes, oxazine dyes, carbostyryl dyes, porphyrin dyes, acridine dyes, anthraquinone dyes, arylmethane dyes, quinone imine dyes, thiazole dyes, bis-benzoxazolylthiophene (BBOT) dyes, or xanthene dyes, or any combination of such dyes.
The organic fluorescent dyes can be incorporated into a polymeric matrix. One of the advantages of using these dyes is that they can be solubilized within said matrix, thereby providing for a more even distribution of the dyes throughout the matrix when compared with pigments. The polymer matrix/dye combination can be manufactured by methods generally available in the art. For example, the dye compounds of the present invention can be easily incorporated into a wide range of polymers that can be used in photo-bioreactors. Non-limiting examples of such polymers include a polycarbonate, a polyolefin, a polymethyl (meth)acrylate, a polyester, an elastomer, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl butyral, polystyrene, or a polyvinyl acetate, or any combination thereof. In particular aspects, the polymeric matrix includes a polycarbonate or a polyolefin or a combination thereof
The fluorescent dyes of the present invention can be added either as a powder or as a solution in a suitable solvent to the polymeric matrix. Generally, the dyes can be distributed within the polymer (e.g., polycarbonate, polyolefin, etc.) by using any means which accomplish the purpose, such as by dispersion. Additives may also be compounded into a masterbatch with a desired polymeric resin and fed into the extruder. The extruder is generally operated at a temperature higher than that necessary to cause the composition to flow. That is, during extrusion the polymer will melt and the dye will solubilize in the polymer composition. The extrudate is immediately quenched in a water bath and pelletized. The pellets, so prepared, when cutting the extrudate may be one-fourth inch long or less as desired. Such pellets may be used for subsequent molding, shaping, or forming. The polymeric matrices may be molded into films, sheets, and other wavelength conversion materials by a variety of means such as injection molding, extrusion, rotational molding, blow molding and thermoforming.
In addition to the organic fluorescent dyes, additives can also be added to the polymeric matrices by the same processes as described above, with a proviso that the additives are selected so as not to adversely affect the desired wavelength conversion properties of the matrices and materials of the present invention. Either a single additive or multiple additives can be used. Such additives may be mixed at a suitable time during the mixing of the components for forming the polymeric matrices of the present invention. Non-limiting examples of additives that may be included in the matrices or materials of the present invention are provided below. The additives can help strengthen the matrices and materials of the present invention, further aid in plant growth, etc. Such additives include, but are not limited to, ultraviolet absorbing compounds, optical brighteners, ultraviolet stabilizing agents, heat stabilizers, diffusers, mold releasing agents, antioxidants, antifogging agents, clarifying agents, nucleating agents, phosphites or phosphonites or both, light stabilizers, singlet oxygen quenchers, processing aids, antistatic agents, fillers or reinforcing materials, or any combination thereof. Each of these additives can be present in amounts of from about 0.0001 to about 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the polymeric matrix or materials of the present invention.
A unique aspect of the present invention is that the polymeric matrices can be used as materials in photo-bioreactors to produce phototropic organisms and biomass in a more efficient and robust manner.
Referring to
The present invention will be described in greater detail by way of specific examples. The following examples are offered for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of noncritical parameters which can be changed or modified to yield essentially the same results.
Table 2 provides the compositional characteristics of various types of prepared polymeric matrices/films:
The following process was used to prepare the polymeric matrices of Table 2: Mixed polymer with organic fluorescent dye in a zip-lock polyethylene bag and shake vigorously for about 3-4 minutes. Extruded mixture with a Clear ZSK30 twin screw extruder under the following conditions in Table 3 to produce polymer pellets in polyethylene:
Subsequently, the pellets were subjected to molding using an LTM-Demag from L&T Plastics Machinery Ltd. under the following conditions in Table 4:
In an effort to characterize the growth of phototropic organisms, Cyanobacteria synchocystis PCC6803 and Microalgae chlorella were used. These organisms were grown indoors under simulated light conditions with the bioreactors covered with sleeves made of dye incorporated low density polyethylene (LDPE) film (
The particular growth conditions included: medium of BG-11; light of 50 μE m−2 s−1. When cultured OD reached 0.1 on day 2, all the cultures were mixed and equally dispensed back into the flasks covered by the NLR PE films (S8: low NLR con; SF: high NLR con). Daily culture optical density was measured, and final cell density was measured as biomass dry weight.
Performance of Polyethylene Films Extruded with Luminescent (NRL) Dyes of the Present Invention in Sunlight.
PE beads doped with nonyl phenyl containing lumogen red (NRL) dyes of the present invention having the structure depicted in Formula II were prepared using the procedure outlined in Example 2. PE beads and PE doped beads were extruded into 0.1 mm thick polyethylene rolls having a width of 38 cm. The solar spectra (natural or shifted by the red films) that passed through the NLR films and a control PE film outdoors at noon on a sunny day were measured by a spectrometer HR2000+ES (OceanOptics). The solar intensities were measured by light meter LI-250A (LI-COR). Table 6 lists the modification of sunlight by the extruded PE films containing nonyl perylene luminescent dye (PE+NRL) of the present invention and the light absorbed by photosynthetic pigments, algae/cyanobacteria (Chl a), algae (Chl b), and cyanobacteria (phycocyanin) at the listed wavelengths.
Growth of Synechococcus leopoliensis B625 Under Outdoor Conditions with Nonyl Phenyl Perylene Dyes Doped PE Film.
The cyanobacterium Synechococcus leopoliensis B625 (UTEX #B625) was grown in freshwater BG-11 media outdoors where natural sunlight was reached a maximum of around 2000 μE m−2 s−1 (August). The cyanobacterium was grown in six aerated 1.3-liter bag reactors as duplicates with 0.12% (S6), 0.06% (S5) and 0% (PE) NLR dye of the present invention added to PE film over a 16 day period. Temperature control was maintained by using a water sink, which kept the culture temperature between 36-39° C. (
Growth of Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 with Urea as a Nitrogen Source in NLR Doped PE Film.
The cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 (7002 hereafter) was grown in sea-water MN media supplemented with 0.6 g/l urea outdoors when the natural sunlight reached 1,400 μE m-2 s-1 (November). The cyanobacterial cultures were grown in nine aerated 1.3-liter bag reactors (PE, S5, and S6) as triplicates and were maintained at 39° C., without the need for the cooling using the setup depicted in
This application claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/924,561 titled “SOLAR ENERGY FUNNELING USING THERMOPLASTICS FOR ALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA GROWTH” filed Jan. 7, 2014. The entire contents of the referenced patent application are incorporated into the present application by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2015/010263 | 1/6/2015 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61924561 | Jan 2014 | US |
