Photocatalyzed electron transfer from spinach PSI to metal nanoparticles

Barbara R. Evans, Hugh M. O'Neill, Jane Y. Howe, Elias Greenbaum

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Photosynthetic organisms such as plants and green algae convert solar energy to chemical energy by oxidizing water and reducing CO2. Thus, a solar-powered biofuel cell that mimics photosynthesis is a very attractive concept for energy production. The chloroplast photosystem I (PSI) protein complex transfers electrons across the chloroplast membrane following light activation of the two chlorophyll molecules in its P700 reaction center. PSI then accepts an electron from the small copper protein plastocyanin (PC). The stability of the cross-linked PCPSIPt catalyst and the effect of metal particle size on efficient electron transfer, the effect of limiting platinum particle size and the ability of PSI to transfer of electrons to preformed metallic particles were studied. Palladium-cellulose membranes containing catalytically active palladium nanoparticles deposited in hydrated bacterial cellulose pellicules provided a convenient matrix for examination of interaction of PSI with dispersed metal particles. The dialyzed PCPSIPt catalyst evolved H2 at a steady rate for 23 light cycles. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the ACS Fuel Chemistry Meeting (Washington, DC Fall 2005).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)717-718
Number of pages2
JournalACS Division of Fuel Chemistry, Preprints
Volume50
Issue number2
StatePublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes

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