title: Photoelectrochemical study on photosynthetic pigments-sensitized nanocrystalline ZnO films.
abstract: Hetero-structures formed by quantum-sized ZnO nanocrystals and photosynthetic pigments were prepared by adsorbing either chlorophyll a, carotenoids or their mixture onto a film of organic-capped ZnO nanoparticles. Photoelectrochemical measurements were comparatively performed on both bulk and nanocrystalline ZnO films after dye-covering in order to probe the photosensitization process occurring at the hetero-junction. The photoconversion process was found to be greatly enhanced at the nanocrystalline electrodes upon sensitization with a dye mixture. The sensitization process is discussed on the basis of the aggregation state of chlorophyll a, and of the specific photoprotective action played by carotenoids.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Bari, via Orabona 4 I-70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrella
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Cozzoli
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Curri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Striccoli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cosma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agostiano
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D000077194:Chlorophyll A; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D004566:Electrodes; D008027:Light; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D045322:Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins; D002734:Chlorophyll; D002338:Carotenoids; D015034:Zinc Oxide; D000077194:Chlorophyll A