Molecular scale photodiode composed of recombinant ferredoxin/chlorophyll a heterostructure

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2008 Sep;8(9):4527-32. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2008.ic23.

Abstract

Photoelectrical rectifying property of biomolecular heterostructures is investigated in molecular scale. Recombinant ferredoxin and chlorophyll a were used as an electron acceptor and a sensitizer respectively in the molecular layer by mimicking photosynthesis. A self-assembled monolayer of recombinant ferredoxin was formed on Au surface, and then chlorophyll a was deposited onto the recombinant ferredoxin layer by Langmuir-Blodgett method. The formation of recombinant ferredoxin/chlorophyll a hetero-layers was confirmed by the SPR (surface plasmon resonance) spectroscopy, and the surface was observed by the STM (scanning tunneling microscopy). The rectifying property by the STS (scanning-tunneling-spectroscopy) based current-voltage characteristics was achieved in the recombinant ferredoxin/chlorophyll a hetero-layers. Thus, proposed hetero-layers functioned as a rectifier that can be useful property for the development of molecular-scale bioelectronic devices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biophysics / methods
  • Chlorophyll / chemistry*
  • Chlorophyll A
  • Electrochemistry / methods
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Ferredoxins / chemistry*
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling / methods
  • Nanotechnology / methods
  • Photosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry*
  • Rhodobacter sphaeroides / metabolism
  • Spinacia oleracea / metabolism
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / methods
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Ferredoxins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Chlorophyll
  • Gold
  • Chlorophyll A