ChemInform Abstract: Self-Assembly Strategies for Integrating Light Harvesting and Charge Separation in Artificial Photosynthetic Systems

ChemInform ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Wasielewski
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés F. Molina-Osorio ◽  
David Cheung ◽  
Colm O'Dwyer ◽  
Andrew A. Stewart ◽  
Manuel Dossot ◽  
...  

One of many evolved functions of biological cell membranes is to induce and regulate self-assembly of photoactive molecules into efficient light harvesting nanomaterials. Synthetic molecular assemblies at soft interfaces exhibit macroscale long-range order and so provide routes to biomimetic analogues that minimise concentration quenching. Here, we report the facile assembly of free-standing layered crystalline films of zinc(II) meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin nanostructures that exhibit significant photocurrents in situ at an electrified liquid | liquid interface. This methodology does not require acidic conditions, specialised amphiphilic porphyrins, or the use of additives or external stimuli. The assembly process is driven by an interplay between the hydrophobicity gradient at an immiscible aqueous | organic interface and optimised hydrogen bonding in the formed nanostructure. Highly-ordered interfacial nanostructures may provide a new paradigm for realisation of light-harvesting antennae in artificial photosynthetic technologies.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
Silvio Osella

A tremendous effort is currently devoted to the generation of novel hybrid materials with enhanced electronic properties for the creation of artificial photosynthetic systems. This compelling and challenging problem is well-defined from an experimental point of view, as the design of such materials relies on combining organic materials or metals with biological systems like light harvesting and redox-active proteins. Such hybrid systems can be used, e.g., as bio-sensors, bio-fuel cells, biohybrid photoelectrochemical cells, and nanostructured photoelectronic devices. Despite these efforts, the main bottleneck is the formation of efficient interfaces between the biological and the organic/metal counterparts for efficient electron transfer (ET). It is within this aspect that computation can make the difference and improve the current understanding of the mechanisms underneath the interface formation and the charge transfer efficiency. Yet, the systems considered (i.e., light harvesting protein, self-assembly monolayer and surface assembly) are more and more complex, reaching (and often passing) the limit of current computation power. In this review, recent developments in computational methods for studying complex interfaces for artificial photosynthesis will be provided and selected cases discussed, to assess the inherent ability of computation to leave a mark in this field of research.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés F. Molina-Osorio ◽  
David Cheung ◽  
Colm O'Dwyer ◽  
Andrew A. Stewart ◽  
Manuel Dossot ◽  
...  

One of many evolved functions of biological cell membranes is to induce and regulate self-assembly of photoactive molecules into efficient light harvesting nanomaterials. Synthetic molecular assemblies at soft interfaces exhibit macroscale long-range order and so provide routes to biomimetic analogues that minimise concentration quenching. Here, we report the facile assembly of free-standing layered crystalline films of zinc(II) meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin nanostructures that exhibit significant photocurrents in situ at an electrified liquid | liquid interface. This methodology does not require acidic conditions, specialised amphiphilic porphyrins, or the use of additives or external stimuli. The assembly process is driven by an interplay between the hydrophobicity gradient at an immiscible aqueous | organic interface and optimised hydrogen bonding in the formed nanostructure. Highly-ordered interfacial nanostructures may provide a new paradigm for realisation of light-harvesting antennae in artificial photosynthetic technologies.


Chem ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 877-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinmeng Cai ◽  
Moqing Wu ◽  
Yating Wang ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Ming Meng ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Richard A. Haycock ◽  
Arkady Yartsev ◽  
Ulrike Michelsen ◽  
Villy Sundström ◽  
Christopher A. Hunter

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