A Z-Scheme-Inspired Photobioelectrochemical H2 O/O2 Cell with a 1 V Open-Circuit Voltage Combining Photosystem II and PbS Quantum Dots

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2019 Jan 14;58(3):801-805. doi: 10.1002/anie.201811172. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Abstract

A biohybrid photobioanode mimicking the Z-scheme has been developed by functional integration of photosystem II (PSII) and PbS quantum dots (QDs) within an inverse opal TiO2 architecture giving rise to a rather negative water oxidation potential of about -0.55 V vs. Ag/AgCl, 1 m KCl at neutral pH. The electrical linkage between both light-sensitive entities has been established through an Os-complex-modified redox polymer (POs ), which allows the formation of a multi-step electron-transfer chain under illumination starting with the photo-activated water oxidation at PSII followed by an electron transfer from PSII through POs to the photo-excited QDs and finally to the TiO2 electrode. The photobioanode was coupled to a novel, transparent, inverse-opal ATO cathode modified with an O2 -reducing bilirubin oxidase for the construction of a H2 O/O2 photobioelectrochemical cell reaching a high open-circuit voltage of about 1 V under illumination.

Keywords: biocatalysis; photobioelectrochemical cells; photocatalysis; photoelectrochemistry; photosystem II.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bioelectric Energy Sources
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Electricity
  • Electrodes
  • Electron Transport
  • Lead / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Photosystem II Protein Complex / chemistry*
  • Quantum Dots / chemistry*
  • Sulfides / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Photosystem II Protein Complex
  • Sulfides
  • Water
  • lead sulfide
  • Lead