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Multilayer models of photosynthetic membranes. Final report

Abstract

The primary aim of this project has been to build an artificial membrane in which is incorporated, in a functional state, the protein bacteriorhodopsin responsible for generating an electrical potential difference across the membrane of the photosynthetic bacterium, halobacterium halobium, and to investigate the use of this artificial system as the basis of a solar cell. the bacteriorhodopsin has been incorporated into Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers. If ths supporting filter is then illuminated, a potential difference is generated between the two compartments. The lipid in the filter appears to act as a charge carrier for protons, the charge species that forms the electrochemical gradient generated by the bacteriorhodopsin when this molecule absorbs light. The internal resistances of such solar cells were determined and found to be so high that the cells could not be seriously considered as competitors with classical semiconductor cells. Multilayerswere deposited onto filters in which ion carriers that make the filters permeable to sodium ions had been dissolved in the paraffin. The photovoltage obtained indicated that protons transferred from one side of the filter to the other by the action of the bacteriorhodopsin were bing exchanged for sodium ions. A secondary aim of the project has been to examine  More>>
Publication Date:
Jan 01, 1982
Product Type:
Technical Report
Report Number:
EUR-7688-EN
Reference Number:
EDB-82-154997
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; DYES; PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS; PHOTOSYNTHETIC MEMBRANES; SENSITIZERS; QUINONES; CAPACITANCE; DESALINATION; DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS; ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY; FILTERS; LAYERS; LIPIDS; MIXTURES; PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA; PROTEINS; SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS; SODIUM IONS; AROMATICS; CHARGED PARTICLES; DEMINERALIZATION; DISPERSIONS; ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES; ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS; EQUATIONS; EQUIPMENT; IONS; MATERIALS; MEMBRANES; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; REAGENTS; SEPARATION PROCESSES; SOLAR EQUIPMENT; 140505* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photochemical, Photobiological, & Thermochemical Conversion- (1980-); 400301 - Organic Chemistry- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties- (-1987); 400500 - Photochemistry
OSTI ID:
5094528
Research Organizations:
Standard Telecommunication Labs. Ltd., Harlow (UK)
Country of Origin:
CEC
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Other: ON: DE82906275
Availability:
European Community Information Service, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 707, Washington, DC 20037.
Submitting Site:
HEDB
Size:
Pages: 135
Announcement Date:
Oct 01, 1982

Citation Formats

Brocklehurst, J R, and Flanagan, M T. Multilayer models of photosynthetic membranes. Final report. CEC: N. p., 1982. Web.
Brocklehurst, J R, & Flanagan, M T. Multilayer models of photosynthetic membranes. Final report. CEC.
Brocklehurst, J R, and Flanagan, M T. 1982. "Multilayer models of photosynthetic membranes. Final report." CEC.
@misc{etde_5094528,
title = {Multilayer models of photosynthetic membranes. Final report}
author = {Brocklehurst, J R, and Flanagan, M T}
abstractNote = {The primary aim of this project has been to build an artificial membrane in which is incorporated, in a functional state, the protein bacteriorhodopsin responsible for generating an electrical potential difference across the membrane of the photosynthetic bacterium, halobacterium halobium, and to investigate the use of this artificial system as the basis of a solar cell. the bacteriorhodopsin has been incorporated into Langmuir-Blodgett multilayers. If ths supporting filter is then illuminated, a potential difference is generated between the two compartments. The lipid in the filter appears to act as a charge carrier for protons, the charge species that forms the electrochemical gradient generated by the bacteriorhodopsin when this molecule absorbs light. The internal resistances of such solar cells were determined and found to be so high that the cells could not be seriously considered as competitors with classical semiconductor cells. Multilayerswere deposited onto filters in which ion carriers that make the filters permeable to sodium ions had been dissolved in the paraffin. The photovoltage obtained indicated that protons transferred from one side of the filter to the other by the action of the bacteriorhodopsin were bing exchanged for sodium ions. A secondary aim of the project has been to examine the possibility of depositing mixed multilayers of a dye and a long chain quinone onto a semiconductor surface. A sensitizing multilayer has been prepared and the mobility of long chain quinones within the layers is high enough to warrant further research. However, it was found that, with the dyes and quinones used, quenched complexes were formed which would not act as sensitizers.}
place = {CEC}
year = {1982}
month = {Jan}
}