پشته های نانوذرات باکتریورودوپسن / نانولوله های ناهمگن به عنوان یک سیستم فتوولتائیک

To mimic the stack structure of granum, for the first time we demonstrate bacteriorhodopsin (bR)/gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) heterogeneous multilayers to perform as a novel photovoltaic stack system with improved photoelectric performance. Upon a cooperative control of the diameter of AuNPs and the stacking layers, the photocurrent can be effectively regulated to reach about 350 nA cm−2. The possible mechanism for enhanced photocurrent recorded in our system is revealed by analyzing the flash kinetics of photocycle intermediates M412, O640, and J600 of bR layers, which are accelerated under proper AuNPs in this stacking structure. A bypass photocycle model of bR photocycle from M412 to B570 state is proposed and supported by tested accumulation of M412 and O640 intermediate during the bR photocycle process. Interestingly, with this stack system, the input flickering light can be effectively modulated into regular photoelectric signals that are well controlled under different flickering frequency and proton concentration gradient. Based on above results, this system potentially serves as solar energy converter to power nano-devices.