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Nabhan MA, Cordova-Huaman AV, Cliffel DE, Jennings GK. Interfacing poly( p-anisidine) with photosystem I for the fabrication of photoactive composite films. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2024; 6:620-629. [PMID: 38235093 PMCID: PMC10790974 DOI: 10.1039/d3na00977g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Photosystem I (PSI) is an intrinsically photoactive multi-subunit protein that is found in higher order photosynthetic organisms. PSI is a promising candidate for renewable biohybrid energy applications due to its abundance in nature and its high quantum yield. To utilize PSI's light-responsive properties and to overcome its innate electrically insulating nature, the protein can be paired with a biologically compatible conducting polymer that carries charge at appropriate energy levels, allowing excited PSI electrons to travel within a composite network upon light excitation. Here, a substituted aniline, 4-methoxy-aniline (para-anisidine), is chemically oxidized to synthesize poly(p-anisidine) (PPA) and is interfaced with PSI for the fabrication of PSI-PPA composite films by drop casting. The resulting PPA polymer is characterized in terms of its structure, composition, thermal decomposition, spectroscopic response, morphology, and conductivity. Combining PPA with PSI yields composite films that exhibit photocurrent densities on the order of several μA cm-2 when tested with appropriate mediators in a 3-electrode setup. The composite films also display increased photocurrent output when compared to single-component films of the protein or PPA alone to reveal a synergistic combination of the film components. Tuning film thickness and PSI loading within the PSI-PPA films yields optimal photocurrents for the described system, with ∼2 wt% PSI and intermediate film thicknesses generating the highest photocurrents. More broadly, dilute PSI concentrations show significant importance in achieving high photocurrents in PSI-polymer films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc A Nabhan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee 37235-1604 USA
| | - Allison V Cordova-Huaman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee 37235-1604 USA
| | - David E Cliffel
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee 37235-1822 USA
| | - G Kane Jennings
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee 37235-1604 USA
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2
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Vitukhnovskya LA, Zaspa AA, Semenov AY, Mamedov MD. Conversion of light into electricity in a semi-synthetic system based on photosynthetic bacterial chromatophores. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA (BBA) - BIOENERGETICS 2023; 1864:148975. [PMID: 37001791 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2023.148975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Chromatophores (Chr) from photosynthetic nonsulfur purple bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides immobilized onto a Millipore membrane filter (MF) and sandwiched between two semiconductor indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes (termed ITO|Chr - MF|ITO) have been used to measure voltage (ΔV) induced by continuous illumination. The maximum ΔV was detected in the presence of ascorbate / N,N,N'N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine couple, coenzyme UQ0, disaccaride trehalose and antimycin A, an inhibitor of cytochrome bc1 complex. In doing so, the light-induced electron transfer in the reaction centers was the major source of photovoltages. The stability of the voltage signal upon prolonged irradiation (>1 h) may be due to the maintenance of a conformation that is optimal for the functioning of integral protein complexes and stabilization of lipid bilayer membranes in the presence of trehalose. Retaining ∼70 % of the original photovoltage performance on the 30th day of storage at 23 °C in the dark under air was achieved after re-injection of fresh buffer (∼40 μL) containing redox mediators into the ITO|Chr - MF|ITO system. The approach we use is easy and can be extended to other biological intact systems (cells, thylakoid membranes) capable of converting energy of light.
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Hancock AM, Swainsbury DJK, Meredith SA, Morigaki K, Hunter CN, Adams PG. Enhancing the spectral range of plant and bacterial light-harvesting pigment-protein complexes with various synthetic chromophores incorporated into lipid vesicles. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2022; 237:112585. [PMID: 36334507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2022.112585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The Light-Harvesting (LH) pigment-protein complexes found in photosynthetic organisms have the role of absorbing solar energy with high efficiency and transferring it to reaction centre complexes. LH complexes contain a suite of pigments that each absorb light at specific wavelengths, however, the natural combinations of pigments within any one protein complex do not cover the full range of solar radiation. Here, we provide an in-depth comparison of the relative effectiveness of five different organic "dye" molecules (Texas Red, ATTO, Cy7, DiI, DiR) for enhancing the absorption range of two different LH membrane protein complexes (the major LHCII from plants and LH2 from purple phototrophic bacteria). Proteoliposomes were self-assembled from defined mixtures of lipids, proteins and dye molecules and their optical properties were quantified by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Both lipid-linked dyes and alternative lipophilic dyes were found to be effective excitation energy donors to LH protein complexes, without the need for direct chemical or generic modification of the proteins. The Förster theory parameters (e.g., spectral overlap) were compared between each donor-acceptor combination and found to be good predictors of an effective dye-protein combination. At the highest dye-to-protein ratios tested (over 20:1), the effective absorption strength integrated over the full spectral range was increased to ∼180% of its natural level for both LH complexes. Lipophilic dyes could be inserted into pre-formed membranes although their effectiveness was found to depend upon favourable physicochemical interactions. Finally, we demonstrated that these dyes can also be effective at increasing the spectral range of surface-supported models of photosynthetic membranes, using fluorescence microscopy. The results of this work provide insight into the utility of self-assembled lipid membranes and the great flexibility of LH complexes for interacting with different dyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Hancock
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - David J K Swainsbury
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Sophie A Meredith
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Kenichi Morigaki
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science and Biosignal Research Center, Kobe University, Rokkodaicho 1-1, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - C Neil Hunter
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Peter G Adams
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
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Friebe VM, Barszcz AJ, Jones MR, Frese RN. Stabilisierung von Elektronentransferwegen erlaubt Stabilität von Biohybrid-Photoelektroden über Jahre. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 134:e202201148. [PMID: 38504712 PMCID: PMC10947033 DOI: 10.1002/ange.202201148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
AbstractDie Nutzung natürlicher photosynthetischer Enzyme in biohybriden Anwendungen stellt eine attraktive und potenziell nachhaltige Möglichkeit zur Umwandlung von solarer Energie in Elektrizität und Brennstoffe dar. Jedoch begrenzt die Stabilität von photosynthetisch aktiven Proteinen nach der Implementierung in biohybride Anwendungsdesigns die operative Lebensdauer von Biophotoelektroden auf bisher wenige Stunden. In dieser Publikation demonstrieren wir, wie sich die Stabilität einer mesoporösen Elektrode, welche mit dem Photoprotein RC‐LH1 aus Rhodobacter sphaeroides beschichtet ist, erheblich steigern lässt. Durch die Aufrechterhaltung der Elektronenübertragungswege konnte die operative Lebensdauer unter Dauerlicht auf 33 Tage gesteigert werden und die operative Funktionalität nach einer Lagerung über mehr zwei Jahre hinweg demonstriert werden. Kombiniert mit hohen Photoströmen, die Spitzenwerte von 4.6 mA cm−2 erreichten, erzeugte die optimierte Biophotoelektrode eine kumulative Leistung von 86 C cm−2, die höchste bisher berichtete Leistung für diese Art von Elektroden. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der Faktor, welcher die Stabilität einschränkt, die Architektur der Struktur ist, die das Photoprotein umgibt, sowie das entsprechende biohybride Sensoren und photovoltaische Geräte mit einer Betriebsdauer von mehreren Jahren möglich sind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent M. Friebe
- Fachbereich Physik und AstronomieLaserLaB AmsterdamVU Universität AmsterdamDe Boelelaan 1081Amsterdam1081 HVNiederlande
- Lehrstuhl für ElektrobiotechnologieCampus Straubing für Biotechnologie und NachhaltigkeitTechnische Universität MünchenSchulgasse 2294315StraubingDeutschland
| | - Agata J. Barszcz
- Fachbereich Physik und AstronomieLaserLaB AmsterdamVU Universität AmsterdamDe Boelelaan 1081Amsterdam1081 HVNiederlande
| | - Michael R. Jones
- Fakultät für BiochemieGebäude für biomedizinische WissenschaftenUniversität von BristolUniversity WalkBristolBS8 1TDGroßbritannien
| | - Raoul N. Frese
- Fachbereich Physik und AstronomieLaserLaB AmsterdamVU Universität AmsterdamDe Boelelaan 1081Amsterdam1081 HVNiederlande
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Friebe VM, Barszcz AJ, Jones MR, Frese RN. Sustaining Electron Transfer Pathways Extends Biohybrid Photoelectrode Stability to Years. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202201148. [PMID: 35302697 PMCID: PMC9324148 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202201148] [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: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The exploitation of natural photosynthetic enzymes in semi‐artificial devices constitutes an attractive and potentially sustainable route for the conversion of solar energy into electricity and solar fuels. However, the stability of photosynthetic proteins after incorporation in a biohybrid architecture typically limits the operational lifetime of biophotoelectrodes to a few hours. Here, we demonstrate ways to greatly enhance the stability of a mesoporous electrode coated with the RC‐LH1 photoprotein from Rhodobacter sphaeroides. By preserving electron transfer pathways, we extended operation under continuous high‐light to 33 days, and operation after storage to over two years. Coupled with large photocurrents that reached peak values of 4.6 mA cm−2, the optimized biophotoelectrode produced a cumulative output of 86 C cm−2, the largest reported performance to date. Our results demonstrate that the factor limiting stability is the architecture surrounding the photoprotein, and that biohybrid sensors and photovoltaic devices with operational lifetimes of years are feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent M. Friebe
- Department of Physics and Astronomy LaserLaB Amsterdam VU University Amsterdam De Boelelaan 1081 Amsterdam 1081 HV The Netherlands
- Electrobiotechnology Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability Technical University of Munich Schulgasse 22 94315 Straubing Germany
| | - Agata J. Barszcz
- Department of Physics and Astronomy LaserLaB Amsterdam VU University Amsterdam De Boelelaan 1081 Amsterdam 1081 HV The Netherlands
| | - Michael R. Jones
- School of Biochemistry Biomedical Sciences Building University of Bristol University Walk Bristol BS8 1TD UK
| | - Raoul N. Frese
- Department of Physics and Astronomy LaserLaB Amsterdam VU University Amsterdam De Boelelaan 1081 Amsterdam 1081 HV The Netherlands
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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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Kim YJ, Hong H, Yun J, Kim SI, Jung HY, Ryu W. Photosynthetic Nanomaterial Hybrids for Bioelectricity and Renewable Energy Systems. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2005919. [PMID: 33236450 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202005919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Harvesting solar energy in the form of electricity from the photosynthesis of plants, algal cells, and bacteria has been researched as the most environment-friendly renewable energy technology in the last decade. The primary challenge has been the engineering of electrochemical interfacing with photosynthetic apparatuses, organelles, or whole cells. However, with the aid of low-dimensional nanomaterials, there have been many advances, including enhanced photon absorption, increased generation of photosynthetic electrons (PEs), and more efficient transfer of PEs to electrodes. These advances have demonstrated the possibility for the technology to advance to a new level. In this article, the fundamentals of photosynthesis are introduced. How PE harvesting systems have improved concerning solar energy absorption, PE production, and PE collection by electrodes is discussed. The review focuses on how different kinds of nanomaterials are applied and function in interfacing with photosynthetic materials for enhanced PE harvesting. Finally, the review analyzes how the performance of PE harvesting and stand-alone systems have evolved so far and its future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jae Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Hyeonaug Hong
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - JaeHyoung Yun
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Seon Il Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Ho Yun Jung
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - WonHyoung Ryu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
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Porous silicon pillar structures/photosynthetic reaction centre protein hybrid for bioelectronic applications. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2021; 21:13-22. [PMID: 34716892 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-021-00121-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Photosynthetic biomaterials have attracted considerable attention at different levels of the biological organisation, from molecules to the biosphere, due to a variety of artificial application possibilities. During photosynthesis, the first steps of the conversion of light energy into chemical energy take place in a pigment-protein complex, called reaction centre (RC). In our experiments photosynthetic reaction centre protein, purified from Rhodobacter sphaeroides R-26 purple bacteria, was bound to porous silicon pillars (PSiP) after the electropolymerisation of aniline onto the surface. This new type of biohybrid material showed remarkable photoactivity in terms of measured photocurrent under light excitation in an electrochemical cell. The photocurrent was found to increase considerably after the addition of ubiquinone (UQ-0), an e--acceptor mediator of the RC. The photoactivity of the complex was found to decrease by the addition of terbutryn, the chemical which inhibits the e--transport on the acceptor side of the RC. In addition to the generation of sizeable light-induced photocurrents, using the PSiP/RC photoactive hybrid nanocomposite material, the system was found to be sensitive towards RC inhibitors and herbicides. This highly ordered patterned 3D structure opens new solution for designing low-power (bio-)optoelectronic, biophotonic and biosensing devices.
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9
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Tanvir RU, Zhang J, Canter T, Chen D, Lu J, Hu Z. Harnessing Solar Energy using Phototrophic Microorganisms: A Sustainable Pathway to Bioenergy, Biomaterials, and Environmental Solutions. RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS 2021; 146:1-111181. [PMID: 34526853 PMCID: PMC8437043 DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Phototrophic microorganisms (microbial phototrophs) use light as an energy source to carry out various metabolic processes producing biomaterials and bioenergy and supporting their own growth. Among them, microalgae and cyanobacteria have been utilized extensively for bioenergy, biomaterials, and environmental applications. Their superior photosynthetic efficiency, lipid content, and shorter cultivation time compared to terrestrial biomass make them more suitable for efficient production of bioenergy and biomaterials. Other phototrophic microorganisms, especially anoxygenic phototrophs, demonstrated the ability to survive and flourish while producing renewable energy and high-value products under harsh environmental conditions. This review presents a comprehensive overview of microbial phototrophs on their (i) production of bioenergy and biomaterials, (ii) emerging and innovative applications for environmental conservation, mitigation, and remediation, and (iii) physical, genetic, and metabolic pathways to improve light harvesting and biomass/biofuel/biomaterial production. Both physical (e.g., incremental irradiation) and genetic approaches (e.g., truncated antenna) are implemented to increase the light-harvesting efficiency. Increases in biomass yield and metabolic products are possible through the manipulation of metabolic pathways and selection of a proper strain under optimal cultivation conditions and downstream processing, including harvesting, extraction, and purification. Finally, the current barriers in harnessing solar energy using phototrophic microorganisms are presented, and future research perspectives are discussed, such as integrating phototrophic microorganisms with emerging technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahamat Ullah Tanvir
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Timothy Canter
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
| | - Dick Chen
- Dual Enrollment Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
| | - Jingrang Lu
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cincinnati, Ohio, 45268, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Hu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, 65211, USA
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Jun D, Zhang S, Grzędowski AJ, Mahey A, Beatty JT, Bizzotto D. Correlating structural assemblies of photosynthetic reaction centers on a gold electrode and the photocurrent - potential response. iScience 2021; 24:102500. [PMID: 34113832 PMCID: PMC8170006 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of biomacromolecules is a nascent development in clean alternative energies. In applications of biosensors and biophotovoltaic devices, the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center (RC) is a protein-pigment complex that has been commonly interfaced with electrodes, in large part to take advantage of the long-lived and high efficiency of charge separation. We investigated assemblies of RCs on an electrode that range from monolayer to multilayers by measuring the photocurrent produced when illuminated by an intensity-modulated excitation light source. In addition, atomic force microscopy and modeling of the photocurrent with the Marcus-Hush-Chidsey theory detailed the reorganization energy for the electron transfer process, which also revealed changes in the RC local environment due to the adsorbed conformations. The local environment in which the RCs are embedded significantly influenced photocurrent generation, which has implications for electron transfer of other biomacromolecules deposited on a surface in sensor and photovoltaic applications employing a redox electrolyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jun
- Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Sylvester Zhang
- Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Adrian Jan Grzędowski
- Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Amita Mahey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - J. Thomas Beatty
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Dan Bizzotto
- Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada
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Osella S. Artificial Photosynthesis: Is Computation Ready for the Challenge Ahead? NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11020299. [PMID: 33498961 PMCID: PMC7911014 DOI: 10.3390/nano11020299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A tremendous effort is currently devoted to the generation of novel hybrid materials with enhanced electronic properties for the creation of artificial photosynthetic systems. This compelling and challenging problem is well-defined from an experimental point of view, as the design of such materials relies on combining organic materials or metals with biological systems like light harvesting and redox-active proteins. Such hybrid systems can be used, e.g., as bio-sensors, bio-fuel cells, biohybrid photoelectrochemical cells, and nanostructured photoelectronic devices. Despite these efforts, the main bottleneck is the formation of efficient interfaces between the biological and the organic/metal counterparts for efficient electron transfer (ET). It is within this aspect that computation can make the difference and improve the current understanding of the mechanisms underneath the interface formation and the charge transfer efficiency. Yet, the systems considered (i.e., light harvesting protein, self-assembly monolayer and surface assembly) are more and more complex, reaching (and often passing) the limit of current computation power. In this review, recent developments in computational methods for studying complex interfaces for artificial photosynthesis will be provided and selected cases discussed, to assess the inherent ability of computation to leave a mark in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Osella
- Chemical and Biological Systems Simulation Lab, Center of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2C, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
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12
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Abstract
Transmembrane proteins involved in metabolic redox reactions and photosynthesis catalyse a plethora of key energy-conversion processes and are thus of great interest for bioelectrocatalysis-based applications. The development of membrane protein modified electrodes has made it possible to efficiently exchange electrons between proteins and electrodes, allowing mechanistic studies and potentially applications in biofuels generation and energy conversion. Here, we summarise the most common electrode modification and their characterisation techniques for membrane proteins involved in biofuels conversion and semi-artificial photosynthesis. We discuss the challenges of applications of membrane protein modified electrodes for bioelectrocatalysis and comment on emerging methods and future directions, including recent advances in membrane protein reconstitution strategies and the development of microbial electrosynthesis and whole-cell semi-artificial photosynthesis.
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Ortiz-Torres MI, Fernández-Niño M, Cruz JC, Capasso A, Matteocci F, Patiño EJ, Hernández Y, González Barrios AF. Rational Design of Photo-Electrochemical Hybrid Devices Based on Graphene and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Light-Harvesting Proteins. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3376. [PMID: 32099058 PMCID: PMC7042359 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60408-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been highlighted as the promising alternative to generate clean energy based on low pay-back time materials. These devices have been designed to mimic solar energy conversion processes from photosynthetic organisms (the most efficient energy transduction phenomenon observed in nature) with the aid of low-cost materials. Recently, light-harvesting complexes (LHC) have been proposed as potential dyes in DSSCs based on their higher light-absorption efficiencies as compared to synthetic dyes. In this work, photo-electrochemical hybrid devices were rationally designed by adding for the first time Leu and Lys tags to heterologously expressed light-harvesting proteins from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, thus allowing their proper orientation and immobilization on graphene electrodes. The light-harvesting complex 4 from C. reinhardtii (LHC4) was initially expressed in Escherichia coli, purified via affinity chromatography and subsequently immobilized on plasma-treated thin-film graphene electrodes. A photocurrent density of 40.30 ± 9.26 μA/cm2 was measured on devices using liquid electrolytes supplemented with a phosphonated viologen to facilitate charge transfer. Our results suggest that a new family of graphene-based thin-film photovoltaic devices can be manufactured from rationally tagged LHC proteins and opens the possibility to further explore fundamental processes of energy transfer for biological components interfaced with synthetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha I Ortiz-Torres
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia
- Nanomaterials Laboratory, Physics Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia
| | - Miguel Fernández-Niño
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia
| | - Juan C Cruz
- GINIB Research Group, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia
| | - Andrea Capasso
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal
| | - Fabio Matteocci
- C.H.O.S.E - Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy, Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del politecnico 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Edgar J Patiño
- Superconductivity and Nanodevices Laboratory, Physics Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia
| | - Yenny Hernández
- Nanomaterials Laboratory, Physics Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia.
| | - Andrés Fernando González Barrios
- Grupo de Diseño de Productos y Procesos (GDPP), Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, 111711, Colombia.
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In situ spectroelectrochemical investigation of a biophotoelectrode based on photoreaction centers embedded in a redox hydrogel. Electrochim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.135190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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15
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Zhao F, Ruff A, Rögner M, Schuhmann W, Conzuelo F. Extended Operational Lifetime of a Photosystem-Based Bioelectrode. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:5102-5106. [PMID: 30888806 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b13869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The development of bioelectrochemical assemblies for sustainable energy transformation constitutes an increasingly important field of research. Significant progress has been made in the development of semiartificial devices for conversion of light into electrical energy by integration of photosynthetic biomolecules on electrodes. However, sufficient long-term stability of such biophotoelectrodes has been compromised by reactive species generated under aerobic operation. Therefore, meeting the requirements of practical applications still remains unsolved. We present the operation of a photosystem I-based photocathode using an electron acceptor that enables photocurrent generation under anaerobic conditions as the basis for a biodevice with substantially improved stability. A continuous operation lifetime considerably superior to previous reports and at higher light intensities is paving the way toward the potential application of semiartificial energy conversion devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Zhao
- Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Ruhr University Bochum , Universitätsstraße 150 , D-44780 Bochum , Germany
| | - Adrian Ruff
- Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Ruhr University Bochum , Universitätsstraße 150 , D-44780 Bochum , Germany
| | - Matthias Rögner
- Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology , Ruhr University Bochum , Universitätsstraße 150 , D-44780 Bochum , Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schuhmann
- Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Ruhr University Bochum , Universitätsstraße 150 , D-44780 Bochum , Germany
| | - Felipe Conzuelo
- Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry , Ruhr University Bochum , Universitätsstraße 150 , D-44780 Bochum , Germany
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16
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Design and modelling of a photo-electrochemical transduction system based on solubilized photosynthetic reaction centres. Electrochim Acta 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.09.198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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17
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Noji T, Matsuo M, Takeda N, Sumino A, Kondo M, Nango M, Itoh S, Dewa T. Lipid-Controlled Stabilization of Charge-Separated States (P+QB–) and Photocurrent Generation Activity of a Light-Harvesting–Reaction Center Core Complex (LH1-RC) from Rhodopseudomonas palustris. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:1066-1080. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b09973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyasu Noji
- The OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science & Technology (OCARINA), Osaka City University, Sugimoto-cho, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558−8585, Japan
| | - Mikano Matsuo
- Department
of Frontier Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Takeda
- Department
of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Ayumi Sumino
- Department
of Frontier Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Masaharu Kondo
- Department
of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
| | - Mamoru Nango
- The OCU Advanced Research Institute for Natural Science & Technology (OCARINA), Osaka City University, Sugimoto-cho, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558−8585, Japan
| | - Shigeru Itoh
- Division
of Material Sciences (Physics), Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464−8602, Japan
| | - Takehisa Dewa
- Department
of Frontier Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
- Department
of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan
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18
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Friebe VM, Millo D, Swainsbury DJK, Jones MR, Frese RN. Cytochrome c Provides an Electron-Funneling Antenna for Efficient Photocurrent Generation in a Reaction Center Biophotocathode. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:23379-23388. [PMID: 28635267 PMCID: PMC5520101 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b03278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The high quantum efficiency of photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) makes them attractive for bioelectronic and biophotovoltaic applications. However, much of the native RC efficiency is lost in communication between surface-bound RCs and electrode materials. The state-of-the-art biophotoelectrodes utilizing cytochrome c (cyt c) as a biological wiring agent have at best approached 32% retained RC quantum efficiency. However, bottlenecks in cyt c-mediated electron transfer have not yet been fully elucidated. In this work, protein film voltammetry in conjunction with photoelectrochemistry is used to show that cyt c acts as an electron-funneling antennae that shuttle electrons from a functionalized rough silver electrode to surface-immobilized RCs. The arrangement of the two proteins on the electrode surface is characterized, revealing that RCs attached directly to the electrode via hydrophobic interactions and that a film of six cyt c per RC electrostatically bound to the electrode. We show that the additional electrical connectivity within a film of cyt c improves the high turnover demands of surface-bound RCs. This results in larger photocurrent onset potentials, positively shifted half-wave reduction potentials, and higher photocurrent densities reaching 100 μA cm-2. These findings are fundamental for the optimization of bioelectronics that utilize the ubiquitous cyt c redox proteins as biological wires to exploit electrode-bound enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent M. Friebe
- Department of Physics
and Astronomy, LaserLaB Amsterdam, VU University
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Diego Millo
- Department of Physics
and Astronomy, LaserLaB Amsterdam, VU University
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - David J. K. Swainsbury
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University
Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
| | - Michael R. Jones
- School
of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University
Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, U.K.
| | - Raoul N. Frese
- Department of Physics
and Astronomy, LaserLaB Amsterdam, VU University
Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands
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19
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Lee MK, Bravaya KB, Coker DF. First-Principles Models for Biological Light-Harvesting: Phycobiliprotein Complexes from Cryptophyte Algae. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:7803-7814. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b01780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mi Kyung Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Ksenia B. Bravaya
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - David F. Coker
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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20
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Szabó T, Csekő R, Hajdu K, Nagy K, Sipos O, Galajda P, Garab G, Nagy L. Sensing photosynthetic herbicides in an electrochemical flow cell. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2017; 132:127-134. [PMID: 27709414 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-016-0314-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Specific inhibitory reactions of herbicides with photosynthetic reaction centers bound to working electrodes were monitored in a conventional electrochemical cell and a newly designed microfluidic electrochemical flow cell. In both cases, the bacterial reaction centers were bound to a transparent conductive metal oxide, indium-tin-oxide, electrode through carbon nanotubes. In the conventional cell, photocurrent densities of up to a few μA/cm2 could be measured routinely. The photocurrent could be blocked by the photosynthetic inhibitor terbutryn (I 50 = 0.38 ± 0.14 μM) and o-phenanthroline (I 50 = 63.9 ± 12.2 μM). The microfluidic flow cell device enabled us to reduce the sample volume and to simplify the electrode arrangement. The useful area of the electrodes remained the same (ca. 2 cm2), similar to the classical electrochemical cell; however, the size of the cell was reduced considerably. The microfluidic flow control enabled us monitoring in real time the binding/unbinding of the inhibitor and cofactor molecules at the secondary quinone site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Szabó
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6720, Rerrich B. tér 1, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Richárd Csekő
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6720, Rerrich B. tér 1, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Kata Hajdu
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6720, Rerrich B. tér 1, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Nagy
- Biological Research Centre, Institue of Biophysics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Sipos
- Biological Research Centre, Institue of Biophysics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Galajda
- Biological Research Centre, Institue of Biophysics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Győző Garab
- Biological Research Centre, Institue of Plant Biology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- Biofotonika R&D Ltd., Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Nagy
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, H-6720, Rerrich B. tér 1, Szeged, Hungary.
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21
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Yaghoubi H, Schaefer M, Yaghoubi S, Jun D, Schlaf R, Beatty JT, Takshi A. A ZnO nanowire bio-hybrid solar cell. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 28:054006. [PMID: 28029108 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/28/5/054006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Harvesting solar energy as a carbon free source can be a promising solution to the energy crisis and environmental pollution. Biophotovoltaics seek to mimic photosynthesis to harvest solar energy and to take advantage of the low material costs, negative carbon footprint, and material abundance. In the current study, we report on a combination of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires with monolayers of photosynthetic reaction centers which are self-assembled, via a cytochrome c linker, as photoactive electrode. In a three-probe biophotovoltaics cell, a photocurrent density of 5.5 μA cm-2 and photovoltage of 36 mV was achieved, using methyl viologen as a redox mediator in the electrolyte. Using ferrocene as a redox mediator a transient photocurrent density of 8.0 μA cm-2 was obtained, which stabilized at 6.4 μA cm-2 after 20 s. In-depth electronic structure characterization using photoemission spectroscopy in conjunction with electrochemical analysis suggests that the fabricated photoactive electrode can provide a proper electronic path for electron transport all the way from the conduction band of the ZnO nanowires, through the protein linker to the RC, and ultimately via redox mediator to the counter electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houman Yaghoubi
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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22
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Janna Olmos JD, Becquet P, Gront D, Sar J, Dąbrowski A, Gawlik G, Teodorczyk M, Pawlak D, Kargul J. Biofunctionalisation of p-doped silicon with cytochrome c553minimises charge recombination and enhances photovoltaic performance of the all-solid-state photosystem I-based biophotoelectrode. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra10895h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Passivation of p-doped silicon substrate was achieved by its biofunctionalisation with hexahistidine-tagged cytochrome c553, a soluble electroactive photosynthetic protein responsible for electron donation to photooxidised photosystem I.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dominik Gront
- Laboratory of Theory of Biopolymers
- Faculty of Chemistry
- University of Warsaw
- 02-093 Warsaw
- Poland
| | - Jarosław Sar
- Institute of Electronic Materials Technology
- 01-919 Warsaw
- Poland
| | | | - Grzegorz Gawlik
- Institute of Electronic Materials Technology
- 01-919 Warsaw
- Poland
| | | | - Dorota Pawlak
- Institute of Electronic Materials Technology
- 01-919 Warsaw
- Poland
- Laboratory of Materials Technology
- Centre for New Technologies
| | - Joanna Kargul
- Solar Fuels Laboratory
- Centre for New Technologies
- University of Warsaw
- 02-097 Warsaw
- Poland
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23
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On the mechanism of ubiquinone mediated photocurrent generation by a reaction center based photocathode. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2016; 1857:1925-1934. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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24
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Szabó T, Magyar M, Hajdu K, Dorogi M, Nyerki E, Tóth T, Lingvay M, Garab G, Hernádi K, Nagy L. Structural and Functional Hierarchy in Photosynthetic Energy Conversion-from Molecules to Nanostructures. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2015; 10:458. [PMID: 26619890 PMCID: PMC4666181 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-015-1173-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Basic principles of structural and functional requirements of photosynthetic energy conversion in hierarchically organized machineries are reviewed. Blueprints of photosynthesis, the energetic basis of virtually all life on Earth, can serve the basis for constructing artificial light energy-converting molecular devices. In photosynthetic organisms, the conversion of light energy into chemical energy takes places in highly organized fine-tunable systems with structural and functional hierarchy. The incident photons are absorbed by light-harvesting complexes, which funnel the excitation energy into reaction centre (RC) protein complexes containing redox-active chlorophyll molecules; the primary charge separations in the RCs are followed by vectorial transport of charges (electrons and protons) in the photosynthetic membrane. RCs possess properties that make their use in solar energy-converting and integrated optoelectronic systems feasible. Therefore, there is a large interest in many laboratories and in the industry toward their use in molecular devices. RCs have been bound to different carrier matrices, with their photophysical and photochemical activities largely retained in the nano-systems and with electronic connection to conducting surfaces. We show examples of RCs bound to carbon-based materials (functionalized and non-functionalized single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes), transitional metal oxides (ITO) and conducting polymers and porous silicon and characterize their photochemical activities. Recently, we adapted several physical and chemical methods for binding RCs to different nanomaterials. It is generally found that the P(+)(QAQB)(-) charge pair, which is formed after single saturating light excitation is stabilized after the attachment of the RCs to the nanostructures, which is followed by slow reorganization of the protein structure. Measuring the electric conductivity in a direct contact mode or in electrochemical cell indicates that there is an electronic interaction between the protein and the inorganic carrier matrices. This can be a basis of sensing element of bio-hybrid device for biosensor and/or optoelectronic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Szabó
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, Rerrich B. tér 1., H-6721, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Melinda Magyar
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, Rerrich B. tér 1., H-6721, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Kata Hajdu
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, Rerrich B. tér 1., H-6721, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Márta Dorogi
- Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvari krt.62, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
- Biophotonics R&D Ltd., Temesvari krt.62, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Emil Nyerki
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, Rerrich B. tér 1., H-6721, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Tünde Tóth
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, Rerrich B. tér 1., H-6721, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Mónika Lingvay
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, Rerrich B. tér 1., H-6721, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Győző Garab
- Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvari krt.62, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
- Biophotonics R&D Ltd., Temesvari krt.62, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Klára Hernádi
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - László Nagy
- Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, University of Szeged, Rerrich B. tér 1., H-6721, Szeged, Hungary.
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25
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Janna Olmos JD, Kargul J. A quest for the artificial leaf. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 66:37-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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26
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Wang L, Roth JS, Han X, Evans SD. Photosynthetic Proteins in Supported Lipid Bilayers: Towards a Biokleptic Approach for Energy Capture. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2015; 11:3306-3318. [PMID: 25727786 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201403469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Revised: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In nature, plants and some bacteria have evolved an ability to convert solar energy into chemical energy usable by the organism. This process involves several proteins and the creation of a chemical gradient across the cell membrane. To transfer this process to a laboratory environment, several conditions have to be met: i) proteins need to be reconstituted into a lipid membrane, ii) the proteins need to be correctly oriented and functional and, finally, iii) the lipid membrane should be capable of maintaining chemical and electrical gradients. Investigating the processes of photosynthesis and energy generation in vivo is a difficult task due to the complexity of the membrane and its associated proteins. Solid, supported lipid bilayers provide a good model system for the systematic investigation of the different components involved in the photosynthetic pathway. In this review, the progress made to date in the development of supported lipid bilayer systems suitable for the investigation of membrane proteins is described; in particular, there is a focus on those used for the reconstitution of proteins involved in light capture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Johannes S Roth
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Xiaojun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Stephen D Evans
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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27
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Kamran M, Akkilic N, Luo J, Abbasi AZ. RETRACTED: Monolayers of pigment-protein complexes on a bare gold electrode: Orientation controlled deposition and comparison of electron transfer rate for two configurations. Biosens Bioelectron 2015; 69:40-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2015.01.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2014] [Revised: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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28
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Zhao F, Conzuelo F, Hartmann V, Li H, Nowaczyk MM, Plumeré N, Rögner M, Schuhmann W. Light Induced H2 Evolution from a Biophotocathode Based on Photosystem 1--Pt Nanoparticles Complexes Integrated in Solvated Redox Polymers Films. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:13726-31. [PMID: 26091401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b03511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report on a biophotocathode based on photosystem 1 (PS1)-Pt nanoparticle complexes integrated in a redox hydrogel for photoelectrocatalytic H2 evolution at low overpotential. A poly(vinyl)imidazole Os(bispyridine)2Cl polymer serves as conducting matrix to shuttle the electrons from the electrode to the PS1-Pt complexes embedded within the hydrogel. Light induced charge separation at the PS1-Pt complexes results in the generation of photocurrents (4.8 ± 0.4 μA cm(-2)) when the biophotocathodes are exposed to anaerobic buffer solutions. Under these conditions, the protons are the sole possible electron acceptors, suggesting that the photocurrent generation is associated with H2 evolution. Direct evidence for the latter process is provided by monitoring the H2 production with a Pt microelectrode in scanning electrochemical microscopy configuration over the redox hydrogel film containing the PS1-Pt complexes under illumination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Zhao
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Felipe Conzuelo
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Volker Hartmann
- Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Huaiguang Li
- Center for Electrochemical Sciences-Molecular Nanostructures, Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Marc M Nowaczyk
- Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Nicolas Plumeré
- Center for Electrochemical Sciences-Molecular Nanostructures, Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Matthias Rögner
- Plant Biochemistry, Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schuhmann
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Ruhr-Universität Bochum , Universitätsstrasse 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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29
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Caterino R, Csiki R, Lyuleeva A, Pfisterer J, Wiesinger M, Janssens SD, Haenen K, Cattani-Scholz A, Stutzmann M, Garrido JA. Photocurrent generation in diamond electrodes modified with reaction centers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:8099-8107. [PMID: 25836362 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b00711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Photoactive reaction centers (RCs) are protein complexes in bacteria able to convert sunlight into other forms of energy with a high quantum yield. The photostimulation of immobilized RCs on inorganic electrodes result in the generation of photocurrent that is of interest for biosolar cell applications. This paper reports on the use of novel electrodes based on functional conductive nanocrystalline diamond onto which bacterial RCs are immobilized. A three-dimensional conductive polymer scaffold grafted to the diamond electrodes enables efficient entrapment of photoreactive proteins. The electron transfer in these functional diamond electrodes is optimized through the use of a ferrocene-based electron mediator, which provides significant advantages such as a rapid electron transfer as well as high generated photocurrent. A detailed discussion of the generated photocurrent as a function of time, bias voltage, and mediators in solution unveils the mechanisms limiting the electron transfer in these functional electrodes. This work featuring diamond-based electrodes in biophotovoltaics offers general guidelines that can serve to improve the performance of similar devices based on different materials and geometries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Caterino
- †Walter Schottky Institut and Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4 Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Réka Csiki
- †Walter Schottky Institut and Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4 Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Alina Lyuleeva
- †Walter Schottky Institut and Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4 Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Jonas Pfisterer
- †Walter Schottky Institut and Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4 Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Markus Wiesinger
- †Walter Schottky Institut and Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4 Garching, 85748, Germany
| | | | | | - Anna Cattani-Scholz
- †Walter Schottky Institut and Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4 Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Martin Stutzmann
- †Walter Schottky Institut and Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4 Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Jose A Garrido
- †Walter Schottky Institut and Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, Am Coulombwall 4 Garching, 85748, Germany
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30
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Yaghoubi H, Lafalce E, Jun D, Jiang X, Beatty JT, Takshi A. Large photocurrent response and external quantum efficiency in biophotoelectrochemical cells incorporating reaction center plus light harvesting complexes. Biomacromolecules 2015; 16:1112-8. [PMID: 25798701 DOI: 10.1021/bm501772x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) are promising materials for solar energy harvesting, due to their high ratio of photogenerated electrons to absorbed photons and long recombination time of generated charges. In this work, photoactive electrodes were prepared from a bacterial RC-light-harvesting 1 (LH1) core complex, where the RC is encircled by the LH1 antenna, to increase light capture. A simple immobilization method was used to prepare RC-LH1 photoactive layer. Herein, we demonstrate that the combination of pretreatment of the RC-LH1 protein complexes with quinone and the immobilization method results in biophotoelectrochemical cells with a large peak transient photocurrent density and photocurrent response of 7.1 and 3.5 μA cm(-2), respectively. The current study with monochromatic excitation showed maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) and photocurrent density of 0.21% and 2 μA cm(-2), respectively, with illumination power of ∼6 mW cm(-2) at ∼875 nm, under ambient conditions. This work provides new directions to higher performance biophotoelectrochemical cells as well as possibly other applications of this broadly functional photoactive material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houman Yaghoubi
- †Bio/Organic Electronics Lab, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Evan Lafalce
- ‡Soft Semiconducting Materials and Devices Lab, Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Daniel Jun
- §Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Xiaomei Jiang
- ‡Soft Semiconducting Materials and Devices Lab, Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - J Thomas Beatty
- §Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Arash Takshi
- †Bio/Organic Electronics Lab, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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Kamran M, Friebe VM, Delgado JD, Aartsma TJ, Frese RN, Jones MR. Demonstration of asymmetric electron conduction in pseudosymmetrical photosynthetic reaction centre proteins in an electrical circuit. Nat Commun 2015; 6:6530. [PMID: 25751412 PMCID: PMC4366537 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Photosynthetic reaction centres show promise for biomolecular electronics as nanoscale solar-powered batteries and molecular diodes that are amenable to atomic-level re-engineering. In this work the mechanism of electron conduction across the highly tractable Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction centre is characterized by conductive atomic force microscopy. We find, using engineered proteins of known structure, that only one of the two cofactor wires connecting the positive and negative termini of this reaction centre is capable of conducting unidirectional current under a suitably oriented bias, irrespective of the magnitude of the bias or the applied force at the tunnelling junction. This behaviour, strong functional asymmetry in a largely symmetrical protein–cofactor matrix, recapitulates the strong functional asymmetry characteristic of natural photochemical charge separation, but it is surprising given that the stimulus for electron flow is simply an externally applied bias. Reasons for the electrical resistance displayed by the so-called B-wire of cofactors are explored. Photosynthetic reaction centres have been proposed for applications in bioelectronics. Here, the authors examine electron transport through the reaction centre from R. sphaeroides using conductive AFM, observing asymmetric conductance along only one cofactor wire under an applied bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Kamran
- Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent M Friebe
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, LaserLaB Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juan D Delgado
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, LaserLaB Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thijs J Aartsma
- Leiden Institute of Physics, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Raoul N Frese
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, LaserLaB Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael R Jones
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
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