Abstract
This work demonstrates the integration of the energy-transducing proteinsbacteriorhodopsin (BR) from Halobacterium halobium and cytochromec oxidase (COX) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides into block copolymeric vesicles towards thedemonstration of coupled protein functionality. An ABA triblock copolymer-basedbiomimetic membrane possessing UV-curable acrylate endgroups was synthesized to serveas a robust matrix for protein reconstitution. BR-functionalized polymers were shown togenerate light-driven transmembrane pH gradients while pH gradient-induced electronrelease was observed from COX-functionalized polymers. Cooperative behaviour observedfrom composite membrane functionalized by both proteins revealed the generation ofmicroamp-range currents with no applied voltage. As such, it has been shown thatthe fruition of technologies based upon bio-functionalizing abiotic materials maycontribute to the realization of high power density devices inspired by nature.
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