Optical Shading Induces an In‐Plane Potential Gradient in a Semiartificial Photosynthetic System Bringing Photoelectric Synergy. Issue 35 (1st August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ravi, Sai Kishore; Zhang, Yaoxin; Wang, Yanan; Nandakumar, Dilip Krishna; Sun, Wanxin; Jones, Michael R.; Tan, Swee Ching
• Is Part Of: Advanced energy materials. Volume 9:Issue 35(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-08-01
• Subjects: asymmetric photoexcitation -- bio‐photovoltaic -- in‐plane electric field -- semiartificial photosynthetic system; Energy harvesting -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Materials -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Materials -- Periodicals; Photovoltaics -- Periodicals; Fuel cells -- Periodicals; Thermoelectric materials -- Periodicals; 621.31
• DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201901449
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1614-6832

Abstract

Abstract: Semiartificial photosynthetic systems have opened up new avenues for harvesting solar energy using natural photosynthetic materials in combination with synthetic components. This work reports a new, semiartificial system for solar energy conversion that synergistically combines photoreactions in a purple bacterial photosynthetic membrane with those in three types of transition metal–semiconductor Schottky junctions. A transparent film of a common transition metal interfaced with an n‐doped silicon semiconductor exhibits an in‐plane potential gradient when a light‐penetration variance is established on its surface by optical shading of photoabsorbing photosynthetic membranes. The in‐plane potential gradients (0.08–0.3 V) enable a directional charge transport between the synthetic and natural photoelectric systems, which is further enhanced in a device setting by a biocompatible thixotropic gel electrolyte that permeates the membrane multilayer, facilitating a strong and steady photoelectric current as high as 1.3 mA cm −2, the highest achieved so far with any anoxygenic photosynthetic system. Abstract : Through an optical shading effect resulting in asymmetric excitation of a semiartificial photosynthetic system comprising natural purple bacterial pigment proteins partially covering a Schottky junction, an in‐plane potential gradient is generated that drives charge transport in the system to synergistically enhance the overall photoelectric output.