Conjugates between photosystem I and a carbon nanotube for a photoresponse device

• Published in: Photosynthesis research Vol. 133; no. 1-3; pp. 155 - 162
• Main Authors: Nii, Daisuke, Miyachi, Mariko, Shimada, Yuichiro, Nozawa, Yosuke, Ito, Masahiro, Homma, Yoshikazu, Ikehira, Shu, Yamanoi, Yoshinori, Nishihara, Hiroshi, Tomo, Tatsuya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2017; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carbon; Centrifugation; Electric properties; Electrical conductivity; Electron microscopy; Electron transfer; Electron Transport; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Life Sciences; Light; Luminescence; Nanotubes; Nanotubes, Carbon - chemistry; Nanotubes, Carbon - ultrastructure; Original Article; Photochemistry - instrumentation; Photoluminescence; Photons; Photoresponse; Photosynthesis; Photosystem I; Photosystem I Protein Complex - metabolism; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Radiation; Synechocystis - metabolism; Thylakoid membranes; Transmission electron microscopy; Carbon nanotube; Photosystem; Nano-device
• ISSN: 0166-8595; 1573-5079
• DOI: 10.1007/s11120-016-0324-0

Photosystem I (PS I) is a large pigment–protein complex embedded in the thylakoid membranes that performs light-driven electron transfer across the thylakoid membrane. Carbon nanotubes exhibit excellent electrical conductivities and excellent strength and stiffness. In this study, we generated PSI–carbon nanotube conjugates dispersed in a solution aimed at application in artificial photosynthesis. PS I complexes in which a carbon nanotube binding peptide was introduced into the middle of the PsaE subunit were conjugated on a single-walled carbon nanotube, orienting the electron acceptor side to the nanotube. Spectral and photoluminescence analysis showed that the PS I is bound to a single-walled carbon nanotube, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Photocurrent observation proved that the photoexcited electron originated from PSI and transferred to the carbon nanotube with light irradiation, which also confirmed its orientated conjugation. The PS I–carbon nanotube conjugate will be a useful nano-optoelectronic device for the development of artificial systems.