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Photoelectrochemical complexes for solar energy conversion that chemically and autonomously regenerate.
- Source :
-
Nature chemistry [Nat Chem] 2010 Nov; Vol. 2 (11), pp. 929-936. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Sep 05. - Publication Year :
- 2010
-
Abstract
- Naturally occurring photosynthetic systems use elaborate pathways of self-repair to limit the impact of photo-damage. Here, we demonstrate a complex consisting of two recombinant proteins, phospholipids and a carbon nanotube that mimics this process. The components self-assemble into a configuration in which an array of lipid bilayers aggregate on the surface of the carbon nanotube, creating a platform for the attachment of light-converting proteins. The system can disassemble upon the addition of a surfactant and reassemble upon its removal over an indefinite number of cycles. The assembly is thermodynamically metastable and can only transition reversibly if the rate of surfactant removal exceeds a threshold value. Only in the assembled state do the complexes exhibit photoelectrochemical activity. We demonstrate a regeneration cycle that uses surfactant to switch between assembled and disassembled states, resulting in an increased photoconversion efficiency of more than 300% over 168 hours and an indefinite extension of the system lifetime.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1755-4349
- Volume :
- 2
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature chemistry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 20966948
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.822