title: Integrated photosystem II-based photo-bioelectrochemical cells.
abstract: Photosynthesis is a sustainable process that converts light energy into chemical energy. Substantial research efforts are directed towards the application of the photosynthetic reaction centres, photosystems I and II, as active components for the light-induced generation of electrical power or fuel products. Nonetheless, no integrated photo-bioelectrochemical device that produces electrical power, upon irradiation of an aqueous solution that includes two inter-connected electrodes is known. Here we report the assembly of photobiofuel cells that generate electricity upon irradiation of biomaterial-functionalized electrodes in aqueous solutions. The cells are composed of electrically contacted photosystem II-functionalized photoanodes and an electrically wired bilirubin oxidase/carbon nanotubes-modified cathode. Illumination of the photoanodes yields the oxidation of water to O(2) and the transfer of electrons through the external circuit to the cathode, where O(2) is re-reduced to water.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry, Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yehezkeli
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tel-Vered
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wasserman
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trifonov
authors.forename: Dorit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Michaeli
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nechushtai
authors.forename: Itamar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Willner
mesh_terms: D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D008027:Light; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016227:Benzoquinones; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D011108:Polymers; C004532:quinone; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; C042401:bilirubin oxidase