title: Bioinspired detection of light using a porphyrin-sensitized single-wall nanotube field effect transistor.
abstract: Single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) field effect transistors (FETs), functionalized noncovalently with a zinc porphyrin derivative, were used to directly detect a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) within a donor/acceptor (D/A) system. We report here that the SWNTs act as the electron donor and the porphyrin molecules as the electron acceptor. The magnitude of the PET was measured to be a function of both the wavelength and intensity of applied light, with a maximum value of 0.37 electrons per porphyrin for light at 420 nm and 100 W/m2. A complete understanding of the photophysics of this D/A system is necessary, as it may form the basis for applications in artificial photosynthesis and alternative energy sources such as solar cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hecht
authors.forename: Robert J A
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Briman
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Artukovic
authors.forename: Kelly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chichak
authors.forename: J Fraser
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stoddart
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grüner
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D010788:Photosynthesis; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014159:Transducers; D014173:Transistors, Electronic
chemical_list: D011166:Porphyrins