Light-Modulated Cationic and Anionic Transport across Protein Biopolymers**

Light is a convenient source of energy and the heart of light-harvesting natural systems and devices. Here, we show light-modulation of both the chemical nature and ionic charge carrier concentration within a protein-based biopolymer that was covalently functionalized with photoacids or photobases. We explore the capability of the biopolymer-tethered photoacids and photobases to undergo excited-state proton transfer and capture, respectively. Electrical measurements show that both the photoacid- and photobase-functionalized biopolymers exhibit an impressive light-modulated increase in ionic conductivity. Whereas cationic protons are the charge carriers for the photoacid-functionalized biopolymer, water-derived anionic hydroxides are the suggested charge carriers for the photobase-functionalized biopolymer. Our work introduces a versatile toolbox to photomodulate both protons and hydroxides as charge carriers in polymers, which can be of interest for a variety of applications.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates light-modulation of the chemical nature and ionic charge carrier concentration within protein-based biopolymers functionalized with photoacids or photobases. Electrical measurements showed an impressive light-modulated increase in ionic conductivity for both types of functionalized biopolymers. Protons are suggested as the charge carriers for the photoacid-functionalized biopolymer, while water-derived anionic hydroxides are suggested as the charge carriers for the photobase-functionalized biopolymer.