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Photoelectrochemical complexes for solar energy conversion that chemically and autonomously regenerate.

Authors :
Ham MH
Choi JH
Boghossian AA
Jeng ES
Graff RA
Heller DA
Chang AC
Mattis A
Bayburt TH
Grinkova YV
Zeiger AS
Van Vliet KJ
Hobbie EK
Sligar SG
Wraight CA
Strano MS
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