Near-IR absorbing solar cell sensitized with bacterial photosynthetic membranes.
Photochem Photobiol
; 88(6): 1467-72, 2012.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22708611
ABSTRACT
Current interest in natural photosynthesis as a blueprint for solar energy conversion has led to the development of a biohybrid photovoltaic cell in which bacterial photosynthetic membrane vesicles (chromatophores) have been adsorbed to a gold electrode surface in conjunction with biological electrolytes (quinone [Q] and cytochrome c; Magis et al. [2010] Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1798, 637-645). Since light-driven current generation was dependent on an open circuit potential, we have tested whether this external potential could be replaced in an appropriately designed dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Herein, we show that a DSSC system in which the organic light-harvesting dye is replaced by robust chromatophores from Rhodospirillum rubrum, together with Q and cytochrome c as electrolytes, provides band energies between consecutive interfaces that facilitate a unidirectional flow of electrons. Solar I-V testing revealed a relatively high I(sc) (short-circuit current) of 25 µA cm(-2) and the cell was capable of generating a current utilizing abundant near-IR photons (maximum at ca 880 nm) with greater than eight-fold higher energy conversion efficiency than white light. These studies represent a powerful demonstration of the photoexcitation properties of a biological system in a closed solid-state device and its successful implementation in a functioning solar cell.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Fotossíntese
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Rhodospirillum rubrum
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Energia Solar
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Cromatóforos Bacterianos
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Luz
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Photochem Photobiol
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article