Studies of Hybrid Nano-Bio-System: Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Hydrogenase

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 UTC 2008 · NSTI-Nanotech 2008: Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, 1-5 June 2008, Boston, Massachusetts

OSTI ID:947427

Svedruzic-Chang, D; Blackburn, J L; McDonald, T J; Heben, M J; King, P W

We have examined changes in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) optical signals upon addition of recombinant [FeFe] hydrogenases from Clostridium acetobutylicum or Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We found evidence that novel and stable charge-transfer complexes are formed only under conditions of hydrogenase catalytic turnover. Formation of the complex sensitizes the nanotubes to the proton-to-hydrogen redox half-reaction. Thus, the experimental potential can be altered by changing the pH or molecular hydrogen concentration. In the presence of molecular hydrogen, hydrogenase mediates electron injection into the conduction band of semiconducting SWNT, which was observed as a quenching of the photoluminescence signals. Here, we will present recent Raman studies, which revealed that SWNTs in a complex with hydrogenase may undergo either oxidation or reduction, depending on the electronic structure of the SWNT and the oxidation state of the enzyme. In addition, we will describe our efforts to prepare stable, solubilized SWNT/hydrogenase complexes in the absence of detergent. This work shows that SWNT/hydrogenase complexes have potential applications as a component of an energy conversion device.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99GO10337
• OSTI ID: 947427
• Journal Information: NSTI-Nanotech 2008: Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, 1-5 June 2008, Boston, Massachusetts, Journal Name: NSTI-Nanotech 2008: Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, 1-5 June 2008, Boston, Massachusetts
• Publisher: Philadelphia, PA: Taylor and Francis
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
Basic Sciences
CARBON
CHLAMYDOMONAS
CLOSTRIDIUM ACETOBUTYLICUM
Chemical and Biosciences
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
ELECTRONS
ENERGY CONVERSION
HYDROGEN
HYDROGENASES
NANOTUBES
OXIDATION
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE
QUENCHING