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Photosystem I‐based Biophotovoltaics on Nanostructured Hematite
Author(s) -
Ocakoglu Kasim,
Krupnik Tomasz,
van den Bosch Bart,
Harputlu Ersan,
Gullo Maria Pia,
Olmos Julian David Janna,
Yildirimcan Saadet,
Gupta Ram K.,
Yakuphanoglu Fahrettin,
Barbieri Andrea,
Reek Joost N. H.,
Kargul Joanna
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201401399
Subject(s) - hematite , dye sensitized solar cell , materials science , nanocrystalline material , solar cell , photosystem i , nanotechnology , semiconductor , optoelectronics , chemical engineering , photosystem ii , chemistry , photosynthesis , electrolyte , biochemistry , electrode , engineering , metallurgy
The electronic coupling between a robust red algal photosystem I (PSI) associated with its light harvesting antenna (LHCI) and nanocrystalline n‐type semiconductors, TiO 2 and hematite (α‐Fe 2 O 3 ) is utilized for fabrication of the biohybrid dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC). PSI‐LHCI is immobilized as a structured multilayer over both semiconductors organized as highly ordered nanocrystalline arrays, as evidenced by FE‐SEM and XRD spectroscopy. Of all the biohybrid DSSCs examined, α‐Fe 2 O 3 /PSI‐LHCI biophotoanode operates at a highest quantum efficiency and generates the largest open circuit photocurrent compared to the tandem system based on TiO 2 /PSI‐LHCI material. This is accomplished by immobilization of the PSI‐LHCI complex with its reducing side towards the hematite surface and nanostructuring of the PSI‐LHCI multilayer in which the subsequent layers of this complex are organized in the head‐to‐tail orientation. The biohybrid PSI‐LHCI‐DSSC is capable of sustained photoelectrochemical H 2 production upon illumination with visible light above 590 nm. Although the solar conversion efficiency of the PSI‐LHCI/hematite DSSC is currently below a practical use, the system provides a blueprint for a genuinely green solar cell that can be used for molecular hydrogen production at a rate of 744 μmoles H 2 mg Chl −1 h −1 , placing it amongst the best performing biohybrid solar‐to‐fuel nanodevices.