Single-molecule solar cells: single protein complex can generate electricity
A team led by Joachim Reichert, Johannes Barth, and Alexander Holleitner (University of Technology), and Itai Carmeli (University of Tel Aviv) developed a method for measuring the photocurrent of a single functionalized photosynthetic protein system. Scientists can demonstrate that the system can be integrated and selectively input into artificial photovoltaic device buildings while retaining the functional properties of their biomolecules. Proteins represent light-driven, highly efficient single-molecule electronic pumps that can act as current generators in nanoscale circuits. The team of various disciplines published the results in the "Natural Nanotechnology" published this week. Scientists investigated the photosystem-I reaction center - a chlorophyll protein complex located in the cyanobacterial membrane of cyanobacteria. Plants, algae, and bacteria use photosynthesis to convert solar energy into chemical energy. The primary stages of this process, which mainly absorb light, energy and electron transfer, are mediated by photosynthetic proteins composed of chlorophyll and carotenoid complexes. Until now, there has been no method that is sensitive enough to measure the photocurrent produced by a single protein. Photosystem-I demonstrated outstanding optoelectronic characteristics previously found only in photosynthesis systems. The nanoscale dimensions further make Photosystem-I a promising element in molecular optoelectronics applications. The first challenge for researchers to conquer is to develop a method of electrically contacting a single molecule in a strong light field. The centroids that have achieved nanodevices are self-assembled photosynthesis proteins, and covalent bonds that bind to the gold electrode through a cysteine ​​mutant group. Photocurrent was measured by scanning a gold-coated glass tip in a near-field optical microscope. Photosynthetic proteins are photo-excited by the photon flux. Photon flux is guided through the tetrahedral tip, and the tetrahedron tip provides electrical contact. Using this technique, physicists can monitor the photocurrent generated by a single protein unit. (Compilation: Liu Lu) tape measures for sewing,best tape measures,tape measures for sale,tape measures at screwfix Shangqiu Zhengtu Hardware Technology Co,.Ltd , https://www.zlztlighter.com