Photoelectrochemistry of photosynthetic reaction centers embedded in Al2O3 gel

Bacterial photosynthetic reaction center (RC) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain RS601 was immobilized on the glassy carbon electrode, and its photoelectrochemical responses were investigated. The effects of the H2O/Al ratio, protein concentration and pH of the electrolyte on photocurrent were measured. The results showed that: (1) the H2O/Al ratio affected the pore size of sol-gel matrix, resulting in the maximum of photocurrent and peak shape changing; (2) the photocurrent increased with the load amount of protein; (3) the optimal pH range for photocurrent was in neutral pH region. The absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectra and photocurrent results showed that the structure and activity of protein were kept in Al2O3 gel films. This work supplied a promising approach to fabricate artificial biomimic solar cell. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.