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Electron Transfer from Semiconductor Nanocrystals to Redox Enzymes

Journal Article · · Annual Review of Physical Chemistry
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [2]
  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA,, ,; Current affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA,; OSTI
  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA,, ,
  3. Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA,

This review summarizes progress in understanding electron transfer from photoexcited nanocrystals to redox enzymes. The combination of the light-harvesting properties of nanocrystals and the catalytic properties of redox enzymes has emerged as a versatile platform to drive a variety of enzyme-catalyzed reactions with light. Transfer of a photoexcited charge from a nanocrystal to an enzyme is a critical first step for these reactions. This process has been studied in depth in systems that combine Cd-chalcogenide nanocrystals with hydrogenases. The two components can be assembled in close proximity to enable direct interfacial electron transfer or integrated with redox mediators to transport charges. Time-resolved spectroscopy and kinetic modeling have been used to measure the rates and efficiencies of the electron transfer. Electron transfer has been described within the framework of Marcus theory, providing insights into the factors that can be used to control the photochemical activity of these biohybrid systems. The range of potential applications and reactions that can be achieved using nanocrystal–enzyme systems is expanding, and numerous fundamental and practical questions remain to be addressed.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
SC0010334; AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1802086
Journal Information:
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Journal Name: Annual Review of Physical Chemistry Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 71; ISSN 0066-426X
Publisher:
Annual Reviews
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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