Abstract
AbstractPhotoactive biohybrid soft nanoparticles are obtained by embedding the Rhodobacter sphaeroides Reaction Center (RC) in polydopamine (PDA) suspended aggregates and treating them with ethylenediamine (EDA). Such PDA:EDA@RC nanoparticles are investigated for photocurrent generation in photoelectrochemical cells, which are able to convert sunlight into electrical energy. The photosynthetic protein retains its structural and functional integrity in the nanostructures and the PDA:EDA@RC nanoparticles exhibit better water dispersity, improved light collection ability, and higher photocurrent generation compared to the PDA@RC precursors, where the reaction center is embedded in pure PDA. The hybrid soft nanoparticles incorporating the RC bacterial photoenzyme show charge separated state generation comparable to that of the pristine enzyme in solution, overcoming the main limitation of RC encapsulation in pure PDA, which is the polymer low light transmission ability. As a consequence, photocurrents obtained by RC within the PDA:EDA environment are almost doubled with respect to the PDA@RC. The biohybrid composites described here represent an interesting example of effective functional nanostructures for sunlight photoconversion based on a biological component addressed in a tunable biocompatible polymer composite, also showing the potential of fine chemical tailoring of polydopamine biointerfaces.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.