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Zhu H, Cabrerizo FM, Li J, He T, Li Y. Rewiring Photosynthesis by Water-Soluble Fullerene Derivatives for Solar-Powered Electricity Generation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2310245. [PMID: 38647389 PMCID: PMC11187915 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202310245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Natural photosynthesis holds great potential to generate clean electricity from solar energy. In order to utilize this process for power generation, it is necessary to rewire photosynthetic electron transport chains (PETCs) of living photosynthetic organisms to redirect more electron flux toward an extracellular electrode. In this study, a semi-artificial rewiring strategy, which use a water-soluble fullerene derivative to capture electrons from PETCs and donate them for electrical current generation, is proposed. A positively charged fullerene derivative, functionalized with N,N-dimethyl pyrrolidinium iodide, is found to be efficiently taken up by the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The distribution of this fullerene derivative near the thylakoid membrane, as well as site-specific inhibitor assays and transient absorption spectroscopy, suggest that it can directly interact with the redox centers in the PETCs, particularly the acceptor side of photosystem I (PSI). The internalized fullerene derivatives facilitate the extraction of photosynthetic electrons and significantly enhance the photocurrent density of Synechocystis by approximately tenfold. This work opens up new possibility for the application of fullerenes as an excellent 3D electron carrier in living biophotovoltaics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huawei Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Microbial ResourcesInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
| | - Franco M. Cabrerizo
- Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (CONICET‐UNSAM)Av. Intendente Marino Km 8.2, CC 164 (B7130IWA)ChascomúsCP7130Argentina
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic MaterialsTechnical Institute of Physics and ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100190China
| | - Tao He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical FabricationNational Center for Nanoscience and TechnologyBeijing100190China
| | - Yin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic EngineeringState Key Laboratory of Microbial ResourcesInstitute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
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Morlock S, Subramanian SK, Zouni A, Lisdat F. Closing the green gap of photosystem I with synthetic fluorophores for enhanced photocurrent generation in photobiocathodes. Chem Sci 2023; 14:1696-1708. [PMID: 36819875 PMCID: PMC9930989 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05324a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
One restriction for biohybrid photovoltaics is the limited conversion of green light by most natural photoactive components. The present study aims to fill the green gap of photosystem I (PSI) with covalently linked fluorophores, ATTO 590 and ATTO 532. Photobiocathodes are prepared by combining a 20 μm thick 3D indium tin oxide (ITO) structure with these constructs to enhance the photocurrent density compared to setups based on native PSI. To this end, two electron transfer mechanisms, with and without a mediator, are studied to evaluate differences in the behavior of the constructs. Wavelength-dependent measurements confirm the influence of the additional fluorophores on the photocurrent. The performance is significantly increased for all modifications compared to native PSI when cytochrome c is present as a redox-mediator. The photocurrent almost doubles from -32.5 to up to -60.9 μA cm-2. For mediator-less photobiocathodes, interestingly, drastic differences appear between the constructs made with various dyes. While the turnover frequency (TOF) is doubled to 10 e-/PSI/s for PSI-ATTO590 on the 3D ITO compared to the reference specimen, the photocurrents are slightly smaller since the PSI-ATTO590 coverage is low. In contrast, the PSI-ATTO532 construct performs exceptionally well. The TOF increases to 31 e-/PSI/s, and a photocurrent of -47.0 μA cm-2 is obtained. This current is a factor of 6 better than the reference made with native PSI in direct electron transfer mode and sets a new record for mediator-free photobioelectrodes combining 3D electrode structures and light-converting biocomponents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Morlock
- Biosystems Technology, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau Hochschulring 1 15745 Wildau Germany .,Biophysics of Photosynthesis, Humboldt University of Berlin Philippstraße 13 10099 Berlin Germany
| | - Senthil K. Subramanian
- Biophysics of Photosynthesis, Humboldt University of BerlinPhilippstraße 1310099 BerlinGermany
| | - Athina Zouni
- Biophysics of Photosynthesis, Humboldt University of BerlinPhilippstraße 1310099 BerlinGermany
| | - Fred Lisdat
- Biosystems Technology, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau Hochschulring 1 15745 Wildau Germany
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Wang P, Frank A, Zhao F, Nowaczyk MM, Conzuelo F, Schuhmann W. A biomimetic assembly of folded photosystem I monolayers for an improved light utilization in biophotovoltaic devices. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 149:108288. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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Morlock S, Subramanian SK, Zouni A, Lisdat F. Bio-inorganic hybrid structures for direct electron transfer to photosystem I in photobioelectrodes. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 214:114495. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Megarity CF, Siritanaratkul B, Herold RA, Morello G, Armstrong FA. Electron flow between the worlds of Marcus and Warburg. J Chem Phys 2021; 153:225101. [PMID: 33317312 DOI: 10.1063/5.0024701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Living organisms are characterized by the ability to process energy (all release heat). Redox reactions play a central role in biology, from energy transduction (photosynthesis, respiratory chains) to highly selective catalyzed transformations of complex molecules. Distance and scale are important: electrons transfer on a 1 nm scale, hydrogen nuclei transfer between molecules on a 0.1 nm scale, and extended catalytic processes (cascades) operate most efficiently when the different enzymes are under nanoconfinement (10 nm-100 nm scale). Dynamic electrochemistry experiments (defined broadly within the term "protein film electrochemistry," PFE) reveal details that are usually hidden in conventional kinetic experiments. In PFE, the enzyme is attached to an electrode, often in an innovative way, and electron-transfer reactions, individual or within steady-state catalytic flow, can be analyzed in terms of precise potentials, proton coupling, cooperativity, driving-force dependence of rates, and reversibility (a mark of efficiency). The electrochemical experiments reveal subtle factors that would have played an essential role in molecular evolution. This article describes how PFE is used to visualize and analyze different aspects of biological redox chemistry, from long-range directional electron transfer to electron/hydride (NADPH) interconversion by a flavoenzyme and finally to NADPH recycling in a nanoconfined enzyme cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare F Megarity
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QR, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ryan A Herold
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QR, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgio Morello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QR, United Kingdom
| | - Fraser A Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QR, United Kingdom
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Morlock S, Subramanian SK, Zouni A, Lisdat F. Scalable Three-Dimensional Photobioelectrodes Made of Reduced Graphene Oxide Combined with Photosystem I. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:11237-11246. [PMID: 33621059 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c01142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Photobioelectrodes represent one of the examples where artificial materials are combined with biological entities to undertake semi-artificial photosynthesis. Here, an approach is described that uses reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as an electrode material. This classical 2D material is used to construct a three-dimensional structure by a template-based approach combined with a simple spin-coating process during preparation. Inspired by this novel material and photosystem I (PSI), a biophotovoltaic electrode is being designed and investigated. Both direct electron transfer to PSI and mediated electron transfer via cytochrome c from horse heart as redox protein can be confirmed. Electrode preparation and protein immobilization have been optimized. The performance can be upscaled by adjusting the thickness of the 3D electrode using different numbers of spin-coating steps during preparation. Thus, photocurrents up to ∼14 μA/cm2 are measured for 12 spin-coated layers of rGO corresponding to a turnover frequency of 30 e- PSI-1 s-1 and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.07% at a thickness of about 15 μm. Operational stability has been analyzed for several days. Particularly, the performance at low illumination intensities is very promising (1.39 μA/cm2 at 0.1 mW/cm2 and -0.15 V vs Ag/AgCl; EQE 6.8%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Morlock
- Biosystems Technology, Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedical Technologies, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Hochschulring 1, Wildau 15745, Germany
- Biophysics of Photosynthesis, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Philippstraße 13, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Senthil K Subramanian
- Biophysics of Photosynthesis, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Philippstraße 13, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Athina Zouni
- Biophysics of Photosynthesis, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Philippstraße 13, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Fred Lisdat
- Biosystems Technology, Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedical Technologies, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Hochschulring 1, Wildau 15745, Germany
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Herzallh NS, Cohen Y, Mukha D, Neumann E, Michaeli D, Nechushtai R, Yehezkeli O. Photosynthesis Z-Scheme biomimicry: Photosystem I/BiVO 4 photo-bioelectrochemical cell for donor-free bias-free electrical power generation. Biosens Bioelectron 2020; 168:112517. [PMID: 32889396 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2020.112517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Photo-bioelectrochemical cells that are based on photosynthetic proteins are drawing increased attention for both fundamental and applied research. While novel photosynthetic based systems have been introduced, further optimization in terms of stability and efficiency is required. Photosystem I has been utilized extensively in bioelectronic devices, often in conjugation with viologen moieties which act as electron acceptors. It has been shown previously that a partial reduction of oxygen to H2O2 can facilitate damage to proteins hence, limits their long-term activation. Here, we show a newly developed bias-free, donor-free photo-bioelectrochemical system that mimics the natural photosynthetic Z-scheme. Polymethylene blue and polybutyl-viologen were tailored to fit the photosystem I donor and acceptor sides, respectively. Furthermore, we show that by coupling the developed biocathode with a BiVO4/CoP photoanode, a power output of 25 μW/cm2 can be achieved. We further show that our configuration can minimize the damaging effect of H2O2 by two different pathways, oxidation at the photoanode or reduction by the polymethylene blue layer at the biocathode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidaa Shrara Herzallh
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Yifat Cohen
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Dina Mukha
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Ehud Neumann
- Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Dorit Michaeli
- Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Rachel Nechushtai
- Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Omer Yehezkeli
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel; Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel; The Nancy and Stephen Grand Technion Energy Program, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel.
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