Photoactive films of photosystem I on transparent reduced graphene oxide electrodes

Langmuir. 2014 Jul 29;30(29):8990-4. doi: 10.1021/la5010616. Epub 2014 Jul 16.

Abstract

Photosystem I (PSI) is a photoactive electron-transport protein found in plants that participates in the process of photosynthesis. Because of PSI's abundance in nature and its efficiency with charge transfer and separation, there is a great interest in applying the protein in photoactive electrodes. Here, we developed a completely organic, transparent, conductive electrode using reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on which a multilayer of PSI could be deposited. The resulting photoactive electrode demonstrated current densities comparable to that of a gold electrode modified with a multilayer film of PSI and significantly higher than that of a graphene electrode modified with a monolayer film of PSI. The relatively large photocurrents produced by integrating PSI with RGO and using an opaque, organic mediator can be applied to the facile production of more economic solar energy conversion devices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 2,6-Dichloroindophenol / chemistry*
  • Electrodes
  • Electron Transport
  • Ferricyanides / chemistry
  • Ferrocyanides / chemistry
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxides
  • Photosystem I Protein Complex / chemistry*
  • Ruthenium Compounds / chemistry
  • Solar Energy

Substances

  • Ferricyanides
  • Ferrocyanides
  • Oxides
  • Photosystem I Protein Complex
  • Ruthenium Compounds
  • hexacyanoferrate III
  • hexammineruthenium
  • Graphite
  • 2,6-Dichloroindophenol
  • hexacyanoferrate II